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Internet cafes flouting tobacco ban, group says

The number of reported cases of Internet cafes violating new tobacco regulations has tripled in the past month, an anti-smoking group said yesterday.

The John Tung Foundation said it received reports last month of 129 cases of Internet cafes violating the new Tobacco Hazard Prevention and Control Act (菸害防制法). This number is about equal to all reported cases from January to March, showing a steep climb in the number of Internet cafes that violate the rules, the foundation said.

CHAIN SMOKING

Yau Sea-wain (姚思遠), president of the foundation, said some of the cafes were part of large chains in the country.

“One chain of Internet cafes has 33 branches in eight counties and cities across the country, and 20 of the branches were reported by different individuals for violating [the smoking ban],” he said.

“Some of the branches provide cups or metal tubs to substitute ash trays, or provide wet towels for customers to dampen their cigarettes on,” he said.

VIOLATIONS

Yau said this violates Article 15 of the act, which stipulates that business owners may not provide cigarette-related paraphernalia, including ashtrays.

The new regulation, which went into effect on Jan. 11, states that owners who violate the article could be fined up to NT$50,000.

The foundation urged government officials to crack down on violators to protect health.

“If officials do not diligently implement the law, no matter how well-designed it is, it will have no effect,” Yau said.
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