[Intl-tobacco] Taiwan: Government plans to expand smoking ban laws

[robert weissman]

Society

Friday, November 11, 2005

Government plans to expand smoking ban laws


2005-11-11 / AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE /
Taiwan is planning to extend a smoking ban to all indoor public places
including recreational facilities to protect non-smokers, according to a
bill pending final parliamentary approval.

Smoking is currently banned in public areas such as hospitals, schools,
theaters, libraries, office buildings and elevators.

The parliamentary health committee passed the bill in its first reading
Wednesday and the law was expected to come up for a full parliamentary
vote before January, though it was unlikely to go unopposed by tobacco
makers.

The measure would ban smoking in all other public facilities such as
hotels, restaurants, karaoke bars and Internet cafes.

"This is a major step forward in curbing the spread of second-hand smoke
to protect non-smokers. We are hopeful that the bill will be passed,"
said Lin Ching-li (=E6=9E=97=E6=B8=85=E9=BA=97), a spokeswoman for John Tun=
g Foundation, one
of the lobbying groups behind the bill.

Violators will be subjected to a fine of between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000
(US$60 and US$300) while those who smoke inside governmental or medical
institutions could face a fine up to NT$50,000, the bill said.

The government will also double the "health tax" to NT$500 for every
1,000 cigarettes and each kilogram of tobacco and cigars to raise money
for the island's cash-strapped national health insurance program.

The bill is expected to generate NT$6 billion in tax revenue to
subsidize the insurance program, health officials said.

The authorities also hoped that higher cigarette prices would help curb
smoking and therefore reduce related diseases.

Lung cancer has long been a leading cause of death in Taiwan.