Based on a new study under consideration by the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), smokers nationwide could soon see stiffer restrictions, including a prohibition on smoking while walking, riding a scooter or driving.
The study, conducted by the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, advised the agency that these measures would help reduce the estimated 10 billion cigarette butts that are picked up annually nationwide.
The study proposed fines ranging from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000 under the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法). However, EPA officials said they would first consult relevant laws before pushing the proposal.
“While this is generally a good step, we would need to first check if this study could be enforced under the current Waste Disposal Act … If not, we will have to wait until the legislature passes a new law,” Environmental Health and Pollutant Management Director Wang Jiunn-Iuan (王俊淵) said.
Wang said the EPA asked for the study after watching successful programs in Japan, especially Tokyo, that targeted people who smoked while walking, cycling or driving, and added that the programs have substantially reduced the amount of cigarette butt litter.
It is estimated that a quarter of all cigarette butts are illegally littered, Wang said.
“With the passage of the [amendment to the] Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (菸害防制法) earlier this year, most smokers now smoke outdoors ... that has increased the litter problem,” Wang said.
The amendment to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act passed by the legislature in January this year banned smoking in most public indoor spaces, increased fines for offenders and placed tougher conditions on the sale of cigarettes.
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