The name of the nation's major cigarette brand will no longer be "Longlife" once a much-tougher amendment to the Tobacco Hazards Act (菸害防治法) is passed and implemented, government sources said yesterday.
The amendment -- passed by the Executive Yuan yesterday and to be soon submitted to the Legislative Yuan for approval -- stipulates that all words and phrases hinting that cigarettes are "mild," "low tar," or "may lead people to mistakenly believe that smoking does not impair health" will be banned from packs or containers of cigarettes.
Smokers and dealers' days in the future are seen to be more difficult, as the amendment to the Tobacco Hazards Act is carrying much tougher articles than before, including that tobacco tax, imposed to finance the cash-strapped national health insurance program, will be raised from NT$5 to NT$10 per pack.
Premier Frank Hsieh (
The amendment also imposes much stricter regulations on tobacco advertising or sponsorship of events.
No-smoking areas will also be increased noticeably -- extending to college and university campuses, buses and MRT systems, taxis, karaoke clubs, Internet parlors and other indoor public places.
Violators, whether they are cigarette manufacturers or importers, will face fines ranging from NT$500,000 (US$15,800) to NT$2.5 million per violation. If they are advertising agents or media outlets, they will face fines ranging from NT$200,000 to NT$1 million per violation.
Selling cigarettes in places where smoking is prohibited will also be banned, with violators facing fines from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000 per violation, according to the amendment.
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
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