Most still unclear on coming new anti-smoking regulations

The new regulations are considerably stricter and fines are much heavier than in the past, said Chen Mei-ju, chief of Taipei City's health promotion division.

According to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, smoking is completely prohibited in public spaces such as schools, children and youth welfare institutions, and indoor workplaces jointly used by three or more persons.

Smoking in designated areas is allowed in outdoor areas of public spaces such as universities and colleges, libraries, museums, art galleries, stadiums, and swimming pools.

Smoking is allowed in indoor areas of hotels, shopping malls, restaurants or other business locations for public consumption only if these have separate smoking partitions with independent air-conditioning systems.

Where smoking is not allowed, conspicuous non-smoking signs should be placed by all entrances, and smoking-related objects should not be provided, said Chen.

Anyone who takes a drag in non-smoking areas will be liable for a fine of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000, she said.

Operators of establishments that sell tobacco products in violation of the new regulations will be fined between NT$10,000 and NT$50,000 for each violation.

Health officers will conduct non-periodic inspections on business establishments to ensure that the new rules are enforced, she told The China Post during a phone interview yesterday.

She added that the division will aim to schedule the anti-smoking checks to coincide with regular establishment inspections so as to avoid disturbing businesses too often.

Labeling requirements of tobacco products have also increased, said Chen. Tobacco product containers should include front and back labels in Chinese of health warnings and relevant information for quitting smoking on an area of at least 35 percent of their surface.

Manufacturers or importers whose products do not abide by the new labeling requirements will be fined between NT$1 million and NT$5 million.

Tobacco advertisements of any kind are prohibited, and no business premises should provide customers with free tobacco products for the purpose of promotion or profit, added Chen. Those who promote or advertise tobacco products in violation of the new regulations will be fined between NT$100,000 to NT$500,000.

Advertising or mass communication businesses that produce advertisements for tobacco products will receive a fine of NT$200,000 to NT$1 million for each violation.

According to the John Tung Foundation, a pioneer in anti-smoking efforts in Taiwan, the organization has received over 500 phone inquiries regarding the new regulations in the past month.

To help the public better understand the new laws, the foundation has created a “top 10” list of most frequently asked questions.

Chen urged the public to learn about the revised rules or risk facing the new heavier fines. More information is available at www.bhp.doh.gov.tw or at www.e-quit.org.

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