Page 15 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Expected benefits Tobacco control strategies must rely on various channels to be effective. The most direct benefit of legal amendments lies in the reduction of smoking rates and dangers that tobacco products pose for children and teenagers. In line with the WHO NCD 2025 target of a 30% relative reduction in prevalence of current tobacco use, the Ministry has set the objective of reducing the smoking rate by 14% by 2025 in conformity to the legal intention of the Act, which aims to prevent and control the hazards of tobacco in order to protect the health of the people. Amendment progress The draft amendment to the Act was ratified upon discussion in the 3,581th sitting of the Executive Yuan on December 21, 2017 and has been forwarded to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation. The first reading was completed on December 29, 2017. In the future, dedicated efforts will be made in consultations and communications with all political parties and provision of detailed explanations to the general public via various channels to raise understanding and support for this draft amendment and ensure early completion of relevant procedures. 13 Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act