Taiwan’s vaping ban is a public health catastrophe in the ma

12.01.2023 - Taipei, Taiwan – Today, Taiwan’s legislative branch approved a broad ban on vaping and further restrictions on alternative harm-reduction products. In the third reading, the Legislative Yuan voted in favour of the ‘Tobacco Hazard Prevention Act’ amendments to ban electronic cigarettes, regulate the use of heated tobacco products, and raise the smoking age from 18 to 20 years.

The new legislation does not mention vaping directly, instead introducing the term “tobacco-like products,” and the manufacture, sale, and supply of such products are strictly prohibited. The legislation also introduces heavy fines on illegal e-cigarette operators, with a maximum penalty of NT$50 million.

Michael Landl, director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, described today’s vaping ban as a public health catastrophe in the making:

The Executive Yuan passed the draft amendment to the Tobacco Hazard Prevention Law in January last year, following many past attempts to regulate e-cigarette use.

“Tobacco harm reduction is the battle about money and votes, and I hope that every tobacco harm reduction and vaping advocate wins this fight in their country. I will keep fighting for our rights in Taiwan,” said Danny Wang, a vaping activist and head of Vape Taiwan, a partner organisation of the World Vapers‘ Alliance.

菸害防制法修正草案 立法院三讀程序 20230112 下午 ft.民進黨立法院長游錫堃(電子菸加熱菸)。/影：WHO FCTC 菸草減害專家 王郁揚_社子島性專區、電子菸、加熱菸、大麻合法化。