Page 14 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019

12 4. Expansion of indoor non-smoking areas: (a) The whole night club/bar is a non-smoking area if no designated smoking rooms are provided. (b) Activity areas with clear separation of smokers and non-smokers and protection of work personnel from the dangers of second- and third-hand smoke without affecting store revenues. The goal is to create a joyful and healthy entertainment environment that shields young people from smoking addictions as they enjoy their nightly entertainment. (c) 95% of general public and 78% of smokers support smoking bans in indoor areas. 5. Prohibition of named sponsorship by tobacco industry: (a) It is planned to add provisions banning tobacco product or tobacco company sponsorship (indicating the c ompany name) for any event as a form of advertisement to reduce favorable impression and identification with tobacco industry and lower purchase intentions. (b) Results of public opinion surveys indicate that 74% of general public and 53% of smokers are in favor of bans on named sponsorship by tobacco industry. 6. Addition of legal and medical assistance: (a) Addition of provisions offering legal and medical assistance to individuals who incur losses or injuries due to efforts to warn against or reject supply of tobacco products. The goal is to strengthen the determination of all citizens to promote prevention of tobacco hazards and demonstrate legal values. (b) 82.6% of general public and 68.7% of smokers are in favor of utilization of government resources to provide legal and medical assistance. 7. Stiffer fines for illegal advertising or promotion of tobacco products: (a) Addition of a provision stipulating that industry that illegally advertise or promote tobacco products three times within a period of five years also have their licenses revoked for a period of 1 to 3 years upon confirmation of penalties and sanctions. (b) The annual sales volume of tobacco products amounts up to NT$ 100 billion, but the maximum fine for illegal advertising and promotion of tobacco products is only NT$ 25 million according to current laws. This is not sufficient to deter violators. Revocation of manufacturing or import licenses not only reveals malicious practices and repeated offenders but also prevents wrongful fines due to the requirement of three prior confirmed offenses. 8. Authorization of announced bans on objects that imitate use of tobacco products: (a) Authorization of the competent authorities to publicly announce bans on objects in the context of manufacturing, imports, sales, displays, or advertisements that lead to imitation of tobacco product use. (b) In view of the constant appearance of new types of objects that encourage people to imitate tobacco product use. A legal basis is therefore provided for announcement of bans by competent authorities as deemed appropriate.