Taiwan issues 7,499 violation notices under revised tobacco law

台灣依據修訂後的菸害防制法發出7499份違規通知

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan authorities have issued 7,499 violation notices since March 2023, following revisions to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, the Health Promotion Administration announced Tuesday.

Fines related to these violations have exceeded NT$600 million (US$19.7 million). Of the total cases, 2,487 involved e-cigarettes, while 5,012 involved heated tobacco products, including 1,490 instances of actual use.

The amended law classifies all e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products that have not undergone health risk assessments as illegal. It bans the manufacture, import, sale, supply, display, advertising, or use of such products.

E-cigarettes produce vapor by electronically heating a liquid. Heated tobacco products release nicotine through lower-temperature heating, between 300 C and 500 C, compared with over 900 C required for traditional cigarettes, according to the Taichung Veterans General Hospital.

From January to July, authorities monitored online sales and identified 10,578 illegal cases. Collaborating with platforms including Google, Meta, Shopee, and Ruten, officials removed 10,256 listings, achieving a 96.9% takedown rate.

The Taiwan Network Information Center also suspended 837 illegal websites and froze 34 domestic domains. Authorities said they will continue working with online platforms to prevent public access to unapproved products.

Alongside enforcement efforts, officials are now approving certain heated tobacco products for legal sale under strict regulations. The Health Promotion Administration on July 29 approved 14 heated tobacco products from US and Japanese companies for legal sale.

Advocacy groups have voiced concerns about illegal online advertising. The Alliance of Banning Cigarettes Taiwan warned that such ads pose risks to students, while the Taiwan Mothers Shield Alliance criticized the administration for not disclosing details about approved brands, product types, devices, or flavor additives.

Officials emphasized that sales will be strictly regulated, with restrictions on minors and enforcement of legal requirements. Noncompliance could lead to revocation of approval.