Taiwan to Create Anonymous E-Cigarette Disposal Sites Nationwide

Taiwan is preparing 431 collection points where people can anonymously discard e-cigarettes, as the government moves toward tighter controls on possession.

The Health Promotion Administration said the bins would be available nationwide from next Wednesday. They would mainly stand at local health departments, health bureaus and public health centers, with additional locations at mental health centers, addiction treatment centers, police stations and environmental health bureaus in some cities and counties.

The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act already prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, supply, display, advertising and use of e-cigarettes. HPA Tobacco Control Division head Lo Su-ying said the Executive Yuan approved a proposal on June 25 to add possession to that list and sent it to the legislature for review.

The review and enactment dates remain undecided. If lawmakers pass the amendment, a one-month grace period would follow its implementation. During that period, anyone found with an e-cigarette would avoid a fine, but the device would be confiscated. Once the grace period ends, possession would carry a fine of NT$30,000 to NT$100,000, along with confiscation.

The bins use a one-way design that prevents retrieval. Health agencies will work with environmental protection agencies to dispose of the devices centrally. The HPA cited warnings from the World Health Organization and international studies that e-cigarettes may release formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, ultrafine particles and heavy metals. It said these substances may harm adolescent brain development, raise risks of anxiety disorders and learning disabilities, damage DNA, and increase the risk of severe lung injury and cancers.