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Smoking rules enjoy support of diners

The percentage of customers who experienced second-hand smoke in restaurants decreased from 75 percent in February to 57 percent in October, according to a Department of Health survey.

The study was probing the effects of smoking in restaurants in response to new regulations that came into effect in January.

The regulations require restaurants larger than 60 pings (198m2) to establish separate smoking areas or prohibit smoking altogether, departmental official Chuang Feng-ching (莊鳳琴) said.

Smoking in restricted areas can result in a fine of between NT$1,000 and NT$3,000. In addition, restaurants that fail to put up appropriate warning signs or fail to police the regulations can be fined between NT$10,000 and NT$30,000.

The department's Bureau of Health Promotion indicated that while the regulations require only that a dedicated smoking area be created in restaurants, 770 restaurants around the country have simply banned smoking altogether.

Chuang said that nearly one year after the introduction of the policy, 58.1 percent of restaurants indicated there had been no change in their revenue. Another 18.4 percent said there had been a slight increase in revenue, while four percent enjoyed a significant increase. Ten percent reported less income.

In addition, 86.6 percent of restaurants surveyed felt that banning indoor smoking would help attract customers in the long term.

At the same time, 92 percent of the 3,000 customers polled indicated they would support the policy by avoiding restaurants that ignored the regulations.
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