From May to November last year, the Health Promotion Administration commissioned the non-profit Consumers’ Foundation to operate “undercover observations” of 854 vendors across the nation’s 22 administrative regions.
They found that 26.9 percent of vendors did not ask customers to verify their age when buying tobacco products.
Of those observed, betel nut stalls were the most egregious violators of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (菸害防制法), with close to 40 percent of those observed not asking for identification.
More than 20 percent of chain convenience store respondents also contravened the law.
When asked what the legal age to use tobacco is, many people might respond doubtfully, asking: “Is it 18 years old?”
I am responsible for tobacco control on a university campus and I often point students, parents and people in neighboring communities off campus in the direction of the latest amendment to the act, which came into effect on March 22, 2023.
Despite the revisions being in place for two years, many remain unaware that smoking is not allowed on university campuses, that the legal age for smoking is 20 years old, and that vaping and electronic cigarettes are banned. Some even disbelievingly retorted: “When did the law change?”
Amendments to the act have been in effect for two years at this point, and there are still many who remain unclear on the letter of the law, including Article 16, which states that “persons under the age of 20 and pregnant women shall not smoke,” in particular.
The ministry ought to use the media to bolster its nonsmoking messaging and tack on penalties for retailers, convenience stores and betel nut stands through sting operations.
If vendors contravene the law, then the government should hit the responsible parties with fines of NT$10,000 to NT$250,000.
When we can prevent vendors from pretending that they were unaware and would do better next time when they “unwittingly” sell tobacco and betel nut products to minors, then we would have achieved our public awareness goal to decrease access.
Chen Hung-hui is a military instructor and university life resource officer.
Translated by Tim Smith
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