The John Tung Foundation (
The foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting smoking.
The foundation also said the TTWB's move may jeopardize Taiwan's previous efforts to join the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, currently in the process of being drafted.
In addition, the foundation is to call for a boycott by other countries in the Asia Pacific region.
According to media reports, the "520 light" developed by the TTWB is to officially be launched on the market in China, Hong Kong, and Macau as early as the end of July.
The "520 light" -- pronounced similarly to the words "I love you" in Mandarin -- was originally going to be launched in Taiwan on May 20 last year to mark the third anniversary of former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) inauguration as Taiwan's first popularly elected president.
However, in light of harsh criticism from social and legislative groups the TTWB was forced to announce on May 13 last year that it had suspended production of the new cigarette.
The cigarette was designed by the TTWB to compete with foreign brands which have in recent years been gaining market share on the island.
With a fruity aroma and heart signs on the filter, the "520" cigarettes were reportedly targeted at young people, indicating it was "cool" to smoke the brand.
The John Tung Foundation lashed out at the TTWB for attempting to lure youngsters into a life of smoking.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
TRADE: A mandatory declaration of origin for manufactured goods bound for the US is to take effect on May 7 to block China from exploiting Taiwan’s trade channels All products manufactured in Taiwan and exported to the US must include a signed declaration of origin starting on May 7, the Bureau of Foreign Trade announced yesterday. US President Donald Trump on April 2 imposed a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan, but one week later announced a 90-day pause on its implementation. However, a universal 10 percent tariff was immediately applied to most imports from around the world. On April 12, the Trump administration further exempted computers, smartphones and semiconductors from the new tariffs. In response, President William Lai’s (賴清德) administration has introduced a series of countermeasures to support affected
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS