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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Culture & Society

Taiwan to Penalize E-cigarette Possession to Foster Rejection Culture

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to amend the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act to penalize the possession of e-cigarettes.
  • The proposed amendment aims to impose fines ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000, in addition to confiscation and destruction of the devices.
  • Advocates believe establishing a culture of rejection among youth is more crucial than the penalty amount itself.

Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare is set to amend the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, introducing penalties for the possession of e-cigarettes and related devices. This move comes in response to a recent surge in incidents involving drug-impaired driving linked to "zombie vape" cartridges containing etonitazene.

The key is not how much the fine is, but through the penalties to make young people clearly understand that 'possessing e-cigarettes is wrong,' and further establish a culture of rejection.

— Wang Han-yangChairman of the National Education Action Alliance, explaining the rationale behind proposed penalties for e-cigarette possession.

The proposed amendments will allow for the confiscation and destruction of e-cigarettes, and impose fines between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000 for possession, mirroring penalties for actual use. Wang Han-yang, chairman of the National Education Action Alliance, expressed support for closing this legislative loophole. He emphasized that the primary goal is not the amount of the fine, but rather to clearly communicate to young people that possessing e-cigarettes is wrong, thereby fostering a culture of rejection.

Wang highlighted that while the law was revised in 2023 to ban e-cigarettes, many young individuals remain unaware of their illegality. This lack of clarity has led some to believe possession is permissible, potentially leading them to experiment with new illicit substances like etonitazene found in some vape cartridges. He argued that without clear penalties for possession and a system for confiscation and destruction, a dangerous mindset could develop where "prohibition is prohibition, but it's okay to just hold it."

Prohibition is prohibition, but it's okay to just hold it.

— Wang Han-yangChairman of the National Education Action Alliance, describing a potential mindset among youth if possession is not penalized.

Wang stressed that the fines are intended as an educational tool, aiming to establish a clear sense of right and wrong. He believes this approach is more effective than mere awareness campaigns, especially given the pervasive influence of social media and online marketing targeting young people. The proposed changes would also empower school administrators, allowing them to hand over confiscated e-cigarette devices to local health bureaus for proper disposal, thereby reducing their circulation within educational institutions and mitigating the risk of e-cigarettes and "zombie vapes" infiltrating campuses.

The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act indeed has loopholes. Previously, only users were fined, and possession was not regulated.

— Shih Chung-liangMinister of Health and Welfare, acknowledging the need for legislative amendment.
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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