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Smoke-free areas set for major expansion next year

As the world celebrates World No Tobacco Day today, the Department of Health (DOH) is reminding people that all public facilities and indoor work environments will be smoke-free from next year.

The policy, scheduled to take effect on Jan. 11, will essentially ban smoking in indoor facilities designed for more than three people, such as government organizations, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, Internet cafes or Karaoke bars.

However, locations equipped with indoor smoking rooms that have independent air conditioning and bars that open after 9pm and forbid the entry of those aged under 18 will be exempt from the rule.

Outdoor facilities, such as school campuses, stadiums, or any public place where children or teenagers visit frequently, will be asked to observe the smoke-free policy as well.

Passengers will also not be able to smoke at bus stops, on platforms or at any other waiting areas.

Hsiao Mei-ling (蕭美玲), director general of the DOH’s Bureau of Health Promotion, said yesterday that business owners must display no-smoking signs. They are also forbidden to provide customers with cigarettes or any other equipment for smoking. Those violating the rule will be fined NT$10,000 to NT$50,000.

Individuals found smoking in smoke-free facilities will be fined NT$2,000 to NT$10,000.

Hsiao said the policy is expected to have a comprehensive impact. The department has produced a television commercial that will be aired from now until next year to inform people about the new policy, she said.

To test the public’s perception of the new policy, the Taipei Medical University conducted a survey in February the results of which show that only about 22 percent of respondents knew that the new policy will be implemented next year and the penalties for violating the rules.

More than 90 percent of those surveyed supported the government’s decision to expand smoke-free areas.

In related news, Deputy Minister of Health Cheng Shou-hsia (鄭守夏) reiterated yesterday that the department is determined to raise the tobacco health welfare tax. Last year, the department proposed to increase the tax from NT$10 to NT$45 per pack of cigarettes.
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