Taipei, Tainan offer cash anti-smoking awards

Department of Health (DOH) officials and anti-smoking organizations have expressed concern that it would be rather difficult to enforce the new regulations.

According to the revisions, smokers who take a drag inside the office or in a public place with more than three people will face a fine of NT$50,000. Operators of restaurants, pubs, karaoke parlors and other commercial or entertainment establishments can be fined up to NT$50,000 if they allow smoking or provide ashtrays at their establishments.

Under the enforcement regulations adopted by Taipei and Tainan, those who report violators will be given 5 percent of the fine as reward. People seeking to collect the reward may use their mobile phones to take photos of smoking in the act, ashtrays, lighters, and signboards of the venues as evidence.

The cash award can be rather lucrative if the cases involve places that have put up advertisements for tobacco products, a practice liable to a fine ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$500,000. The mass media, including TV stations, will face fines from NT$200,000 to NT$1 million for printing or airing tobacco ads.

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