Chiayi County public health officials warned yesterday that a growing number of young people are smoking and called for widespread public efforts to build a 100 percent smoke-free environment in public places.
Citing the results of a telephone survey, the officials said that 20.8 percent of county residents are smokers -- a level lower than the national average of 22.6 percent.
The 18 to 19 age group accounts for the largest ratio of Chiayi smokers, about 24.9 percent, followed by 19.7 percent in the 50 to 64 age group and 19.3 percent in the 30 to 39 age group, they said.
Men and women account for 53 percent and 47 percent of smokers respectively, they said.
In terms of educational levels, smokers with an elementary education or less make up 41 percent of the total, ahead of 28 percent of senior high school graduates.
The public places where people are most often disturbed by second-hand smoke are streets (30.6 percent), restaurants (19.1 percent), bus stops and train stations (15.4 percent), markets (11.5 percent) and parks (8.3 percent).
The officials urged the public to cooperate with authorities in helping build a 100 percent smoke-free environment indoors and out.
Eight restaurants in Taiwan yesterday secured a one-star rating from the Michelin Guide Taiwan for the first time, while three one-star restaurants from last year’s edition were promoted to two stars. Forty-three restaurants were awarded one star this year, including 34 in Taipei, five in Taichung and four in Kaohsiung. Hosu (好嶼), Chuan Ya (川雅), Sushi Kajin (鮨嘉仁), aMaze (心宴), La Vie by Thomas Buhner, Yuan Yi (元一) and Frassi in Taipei and Front House (方蒔) in Kaohsiung received a one-star rating for the first time. Hosu is known for innovative Taiwanese dishes, while Chuan Ya serves Sichuan cuisine and aMaze specializes
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