Increase seen in adolescent cigarette use

In 2006, 9.64 percent of middle-school males and 4.69 percent of females identified themselves as smokers, rates on average signifying a 100 percent increase from 2005. The increase was also seen in those with smoking experience, with 31 percent of males and 22 percent of females admitting to having had at least one smoke.

The survey also indicated that 13.78 percent of middle-school students expressed willingness to experiment if offered a smoke from a friend, a figure exceeding the 2.56 percent from two years ago.

Coupled with the rise of adolescent smoking is second-hand pollution, said Hsiao Mei-ling of the DOH’s Bureau of Health Promotion. The decrease in second-hand smoke in the home is amply compensated with increased risks in the schoolyard, where one out of every four middle-school students have been subjected to it.

The DOH attributes the situation partly to the ease with which students can purchase cigarettes. Said Hsiao, 40 percent of middle-school smokers obtain cigarettes themselves in stores. While Taiwan’s franchises and regular chains have signed on to policies against selling cigarettes to minors, Hsiao urged civil groups to propogate and verify nationwide enforcement.

Another probable cause for use increase may be the low cost of cigarettes, said the DOH. At NT$60 per pack of Marlboro Reds, local retail for cigarettes is the lowest among neighboring countries including Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

An increased tobacco tax is due for implementation by the end of next year. Accompanying the measure will be more stringent advertising regulations for tobacco corporations.

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