The Macao Health Bureau announced that Law No. 6/2023, “Regime for the Prevention and Control of the Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages by Minors,” will officially take effect on November 5, 2026. The law prohibits the sale or provision of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 18. Relevant sales or service premises must prominently display the approved sign prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.

For businesses dealing in alcoholic beverages, the requirements to note include the sale or provision of alcoholic beverages and the display of signage at the premises. As both “provision” and “sale” are covered by the prohibition, the restriction cannot be understood solely in terms of whether a fee is charged. When displaying the sign, businesses must also ensure that it is approved and placed in a prominent location.

In business operations, activities involving the direct sale or provision of alcoholic beverages to customers will be among the first to face implementation requirements. Businesses may review their procedures for identifying persons under 18 and ensuring that staff handling these transactions understand the scope of the prohibition, so that on-site notices are consistent with actual service practices. These are management considerations for implementing the requirements; specific practices should continue to be guided by information published by the regulatory authorities.

This regime establishes clear restrictions on the sale and provision of alcoholic beverages through which minors may obtain them. Its effects should continue to be assessed in light of implementation at individual premises and information made public by the regulatory authorities. It should not be used as a basis for directly inferring changes in overall alcoholic beverage sales or market demand.