Tough new betel nut regulations await passage by city councilors

A provision expected to change Taipei citizens' betel nut chewing habits was approved yesterday morning by the Taipei City government, and now has only to pass through the city council to take effect.

The "Betel Nut Hygiene Management Autonomy Provision" (檳榔衛生管理自治條例) bans betel nut chewing in public places -- and prohibits Taipei City residents under the age of 18 from purchasing and chewing betel nuts.

Vendors who sell betel nuts to children under 18 could be subject to a punishment of a fine of between NT$3,000 and NT$15,000.

The article stipulates that the places mentioned above are to display a clear and obvious warning sign which reads "chewing betel nuts is forbidden here."

Failure to erect signs will result in fines of between NT$1,000 and NT$3,000.

But with controversy still surrounding the article, the city government's Bureau of Health, which proposed the regulation, has decided to advise violators instead of imposing fines.

Director of the health bureau, Yeh Chin-chuan (葉金川) said the ban on betel nut chewing in public places is meant to set a good example for youngsters.

The bureau has stipulated an "observation period" of one year in which to decide whether fines are necessary to enforce the provision.

The measure also proposes that betel nut boxes should bear health warning signs, as well as a printed warning that they are not to be sold to anyone under the age of 18 -- in clear and obvious Chinese labelling.

The provision will be passed to the Taipei City Council for deliberation. Should the provision by passed in the council, would make Taipei the island's first city to ban betel nut chewing in public places.

According to a report by the Department of Health, 2.4 million Taiwanese, or 10.9 percent of the population, regularly chew the indigenous nut.