Taiwan has recently passed a new piece of legislation, the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. The law follows a survey by Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration (HPA) showing an increase in electronic cigarette use by the country’s youth. The act bans the sale, manufacture, and supply of e-cigarettes.
The survey found that e-cigarette users in junior high schools (children aged 12-14) increased by 1.9% in 2018, and increased again to 3.9% in 2021. Children in senior high school (ages 15-17) and in vocational schools rose from 3.4% to 8.8% in the same period of time. The HPA believes the flavors used in electronic cigarettes as well as the novelty of the devices are leading to youth vapers.
The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act introduces many tobacco-product oriented restrictions overall, not just restrictions for electronic cigarettes and e liquids.
The legal smoking age for all tobacco products has been raised from 18 to 20 years old. Warnings for tobacco products now have to take up 50% of the total packaging area in the product, as opposed to the previous 35%. Childcare centers and schools of all levels are now designated as no-smoking areas.
The sale, manufacture, and supply of e-cigarettes are outlawed.
Manufacturers of heated tobacco products now have to submit a health risk evaluation before they are allowed to sell their products. Advertising of heated tobacco products is banned.
If caught using unauthorized vaping or tobacco heating devices, the fines range between TWD2,000 ($66) and TWD10,000 ($330).
References:
Taiwan poised to ban vaping products | Taiwan News | 2023-01-12 17:33:00
Taiwan Lawmakers Approve Vape Ban - Tobacco Reporter
Taiwan Bans Vaping, Heat-not-Burn to be Regulated - Vapor Voice
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