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Taipei City Bans The Sales of Vaping and Heated Tobacco Products

Following up on a measure passed last April, the Taipei City Government has expanded the imminent national ban, to became the nation’s first local government to set a ban on e-cigarettes.

Diane Caruana

December 28, 2021

On a national level, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan, had also proposed a draft amendment to the existing Tobacco Act, to raise the legal tobacco age limit for from 18 to 20.

The new ordinance bans the importation, sale, manufacture, display or advertising of vaping and heated tobacco products and their components. However individuals in possession of special government permits will be exempted. Violators may face fines of between NT$10,000 (US$354) and NT$100,000 and unless they rectify their offence within the set time period, they may face a second fine and suspension order.

The legislation also sets in place an age limit, prohibiting people who are under the age of 18, from using e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Any minors caught using the products will be forced to attend smoking cessation classes, or pay fines of between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000, and vaping and using heated tobacco products is to be banned in a 50m zone around schools. Businesses caught in violation of the rules will be paying similar fines.

Health Promotion Division Director Lin Meng-hui (林夢蕙) supports the council’s decision, but said the city has not drafted a timetable for implementing the ban. On a national level, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan, had also proposed a draft amendment, to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act seeking to raise the legal tobacco age limit for from 18 to 20. The amendment would also introduce such restrictions on non-combustible tobacco products, such as vaping products.

2018 data: 4 out of 10 young vapers used flavoured products

National data from 2018 had indicated that approximately 4 out of 10 young vapers used flavoured products, with the flavours being more popular among girls. According to the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), last year a total of 81,000 teenagers reported started smoking by being lured to flavoured products first, as they are perceived as less harmful.