Department of Health, Taipei City Government

The Taipei Municipal Novel and Emerging Nicotine and Tobacco Products Self-Government Ordinance officially took effect as of March 27. The Department of Health, Taipei City Government and the Taipei City Police Department have conducted a joint investigation on specialty stores selling electronic cigarettes, trading areas, vendors, etc. Additionally, in conjunction with the departments and divisions under the Taipei City Government, investigations were conducted in statutory “No Smoking” areas within the jurisdiction. This demonstrates the determination to guard the city residents against the harms of  electronic cigarettes(EC) and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

Cracking Down on 33 Offences on the First Day with Fines Totalling of NT$298,000 Issued

According to the Commissioner of the Department of Health, Taipei City Government Shier-Chieg Huang, the Department and the Taipei City Police Department mobilized 60 people yesterday to investigate the 60 physical stores in Taipei City that sell new tobacco products. Among them, 15 owners have undergone transformation or closed down. Additionally, 12 physical stores were found to display, sell, and release new tobacco products related information via signboards and webpages (such as official websites, FB, IG), 22 offences in total. In addition, of the night markets, trading areas, and vendors investigated, one was found to sell heated tobacco products (HTPs). Six cases of sellers from Taipei City on Rakuten and Shopee network platforms were found to sell tobacco (electronic cigarettes) in violation of Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2, Article 9 of the Taipei Municipal Novel and Emerging Nicotine and Tobacco Products Self-Government Ordinance for Taipei City New Tobacco Products Management. They were each fined NT$10,000 in accordance with Article 10 of the Self-Government Ordinance, and they were required to correct the practice by a specific deadline. The Department of Environmental Protection, Taipei City Government, the Juvenile Affairs Division, Taipei City Police Department, and relevant bureaus and divisions shall engage in inspection and reporting according to their authority and responsibility. Four offenders were found after investigating the “No Smoking” areas under the jurisdiction. The offenders were transferred to the Department of Health for subsequent administrative investigation and disciplinary action. If the offences are found to be factual, the offenders will each be fined NT$2,000 in accordance with Article 13 of the Self-Government Ordinance.

The Department of Health, Taipei City Government reminds all that the “Taipei Municipal Novel and Emerging Nicotine and Tobacco Products Self-Government Ordinance” has been officially launched. Taipei City has imposed a complete ban on manufacturing, importing, selling, supplying, exhibiting, or advertising new tobacco products or their assembled components. Violators shall be fined NT$15,000–NT$50,000. Using new tobacco products in statutory “No Smoking” areas within the jurisdiction shall not be allowed. Violators shall be imposed fines of up to NT$10,000. Individuals under smoking age (currently 18 years old) provisioned in the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act shall not be allowed to use new tobacco products. Violators shall undergo new tobacco products cessation education. The sale or supply of new tobacco products or their assembled components to individuals under smoking age (currently 18 years old) provisioned in the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act shall not be allowed. Violators shall be imposed a fine of up to NT$50,000. City residents are not to break the law.