Taiwan's Draconian Prohibition on Electronic Cigarettes

Taiwan Enacts New Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act in Response to Youth Vaping Surge

Recent legislation in Taiwan, known as the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, comes on the heels of a survey conducted by Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration (HPA), revealing a concerning uptick in electronic cigarette usage among the nation’s youth. The act unequivocally prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of e-cigarettes.

According to the survey, the prevalence of e-cigarette use among junior high school students (aged 12-14) rose from 1.9% in 2018 to 3.9% in 2021. Similarly, among senior high school students and those in vocational schools (ages 15-17), the usage increased from 3.4% to 8.8% during the same period. The HPA attributes this surge to the appealing flavors of electronic cigarettes and the novelty of the devices, which attract young users.

The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act encompasses a range of restrictions targeting tobacco products as a whole, extending beyond e-cigarettes and e-liquids. Notable measures include raising the legal smoking age from 18 to 20 years old and mandating that warnings on tobacco product packaging occupy at least 50% of the total area, up from the previous requirement of 35%. Additionally, childcare centers and schools at all levels are now designated as smoke-free zones.

Furthermore, the legislation explicitly prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of e-cigarettes. Manufacturers of heated tobacco products are now obligated to submit a health risk evaluation before marketing their products, and advertising for such products is banned.

Penalties for using unauthorized vaping or tobacco heating devices range from TWD2,000 (ZAR1188.25) to TWD10,000 (ZAR5941.27) if caught violating the law.

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