Page 17 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Non-price Measures Smoke-free Supportive Environments Both smoking and second-hand smoke are extremely detrimental human health hazards that may also impact socio-economic burdens. Countries throughout the world are thus aggressively carrying out tobacco control measures. These measures must reduce the smoking rate, prevent non-smokers from smoking, and help smokers quit their habits. The most important issue is to prevent the public from being exposed to the Hazards of second-hand smoke. To achieve this, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has enacted laws to eliminate second-hand smoke from public areas. To protect the public from second-hand smoke and safeguard everyone's health, the HPA focused on the root of the problem and invested its efforts into changing public perception about smoking and create smoke-free environments in schools, military institutions, communities, and workplaces. Building a Smoke-free Environment at the Local Level The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act of Taiwan has been enforced for 10 years since its promulgation in January 2009. By expanding non-smoking areas, enforcing strict controls on advertisements for tobacco products, and carrying out educational awareness programs, the HPA achieved over 90% coverage for general public protection from second-hand smoke in non- smoking areas. Therefore, general public has begun to focus on smoke-free environment at covered walkways, roads, pavements, and other public areas where people may be exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors. For the areas that are not designated as non-smoking areas clearly under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, it allows to be designated as non-smoking areas by competent authorities at all levels according to the regulations prescribed in Subparagraph 13 of Paragraph 1 of Article 15 or Subparagraph 4 of Paragraph 1 of Article 16 of the same Act. To create a smoke-free environment, health bureaus of all counties and cities are actively assisting the areas of large crowds or bus specialized lanes, bus stops, school sidewalks nearby school campuses in their jurisdictions to be announced as non-smoking areas by the county or city governments according to the law. The health bureaus also assign volunteers for patrols and education purposes. In addition to the expansion of the announcement on non-smoking areas according to local characteristics in order to create smoke-free environments, the law enforcements and guidance for tobacco control are also enhanced. The aforementioned areas are also listed as the key areas for law enforcement. To prevent non-smokers from suffering the hazards of second-hand smoke, the health bureaus of all counties and cities have also performed cross-agency cooperation and established community consensus by selecting appropriate locations for the plan of centralized outdoor fixed spot smoking zones in order to actively promote the smoke-free environment and to protect the general public form the hazards of second-hand smoke. ◎ "I love Smoke-Free Environments" Coloring Activity on Occasion of the World No Tobacco Day in Pingtung County 15 Reducing the Demand for Tobacco