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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Economy & Trade

Heated Tobacco Export Review Exemption Sparks Debate in Taiwan

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Lawmakers debated a proposed amendment to Taiwan's Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act that would exempt heated tobacco products intended for export from domestic health risk assessments.
  • Proponents argued this would create fair competition for Taiwanese manufacturers in the global market, while opponents warned of potential smuggling and domestic health risks from unregulated products.
  • The controversial clause was ultimately set aside for further cross-ministry clarification before being revisited.

A heated debate erupted in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan over a proposed amendment that could allow heated tobacco products destined for export to bypass domestic health risk assessments. The amendment, proposed by Legislator Chen Chao-ming and 31 others, suggests that only products meeting the importing country's regulations would need approval, aiming to boost the local tobacco industry's employment and international competitiveness.

This move is to profit tobacco companies and could lead to unassessed heated tobacco products being smuggled back into Taiwan.

— Lin Shu-fenLegislator Lin Shu-fen criticizes the proposed amendment, warning of potential domestic health risks and illicit trade.

Legislator Lin Shu-fen vehemently opposed the proposal, likening it to a move that would "profit tobacco companies." She argued that unlike pharmaceuticals, tobacco is a carcinogen and should not be managed under similar export exemption rules. Lin warned that allowing the manufacture of unassessed heated tobacco products in Taiwan could lead to the use of lower-quality materials and subsequent smuggling back into the domestic market, undermining the existing health risk assessment mechanism and burdening customs and law enforcement.

Chen countered that Taiwanese companies deserve a fair chance to compete internationally, especially since foreign tobacco products are allowed into Taiwan. He even pledged to co-propose a complete ban on heated tobacco if foreign products were also prohibited. However, the amendment's fate remains uncertain, with Minister of Health and Welfare Shieh Chung-liang suggesting the clause be reserved for further discussion between the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Finance. Legislator Yang Yao also raised concerns about trade and inter-ministerial coordination.

We should give Taiwanese industries a fair chance to compete fairly.

— Chen Chao-mingLegislator Chen Chao-ming argues for equal opportunities for Taiwanese manufacturers in the export market.

The committee ultimately decided to set aside the amendment, pending clarification from relevant ministries. The debate highlights the tension between promoting domestic industry and safeguarding public health, particularly concerning the regulation of novel tobacco products.

If foreign heated tobacco products cannot enter Taiwan, I also support a complete ban.

— Chen Chao-mingLegislator Chen Chao-ming expresses willingness to support a total ban under certain conditions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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