Page 36 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019

34 outdoor areas of other leisure entertainment locations open to the general public... 4. Other places and transportation facilities designated and announced by competent authorities at various levels of the government.'' Hence, the competent authorities have already specified that this Act also applies to"other leisure entertainment locations open to the general public'' Given the fact that these locations were established for leisurely and entertainment purposes and to support the principle of proportionality (factors such as ventilation, number of visitors in the area, and loitering time), Article 16, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 4 thus specifies that an official announcement shall be used to define the scope of non-smoking areas in leisure entertainment locations open to the general public in order to safeguard public health and improve the recreational quality of both fellow citizens and visitors. This public announcement meant that "areas with more visitors" in National Parks of Taiwan designated by the supervising agencies as well as parks and green areas designated by various county and city governments shall be included as no-smoking areas by public announcement. With the exception of smoking areas, the entirety of the designated areas shall be considered non- smoking zones. Violators may be subject to a fine of more than NT$2,000 but less than NT$10,000. For designated areas, parks, and green areas in National Parks, National Nature Parks, designated scenic areas, and forest recreation areas, non-smoking areas have been currently established in a total of 47 National parks, 174 destinations, and 3,790 parks and green areas. The new provisions achieved 96% support from the general public Results of the National Parks Public Opinion Survey carried out by the HPA in 2014 showed that up to 96% of the public respondents supported the establishment of no-smoking areas and segregated smoking areas as the measure allowed mutual respect for smokers and non-smokers. The HPA also kept statistics since the promulgation of the following provision on April 1, 2014:"With the exception of smoking areas, all designated areas, parks, and green areas in National Parks, National Nature Parks, designated scenic areas, and forest recreation areas shall be non-smoking areas." As of December 31, 2018, a total of 36,856 checks were carried out by various counties and cities. A total of 1,965 fines were levied which amounted to NT$3,310,000. The HPA also reminded the public that smokers could smoke in areas outside the designated no-smoking areas or in smoking areas established within park premises to satisfy their urge to smoke so that they may be segregated from other visitors or tourists during the visit. Smokers were also reminded to pay attention to these regulations to avoid fines. These results showed that the measure has successfully met public expectations. The HPA hereby expresses its gratitude for everyone's support for the new policy of prohibiting smoking in parks and green areas with the exception of designated smoking areas and helping to provide visitors to these parks and natural scenic areas with the right of enjoying fresh, clean air. Tobacco Free Family The "smoke" produced by burning cigarettes addicts actually releases hazardous substances into the air, with nicotine attaching itself to furniture, walls and carpets, and producing carcinogenic N-nitrosamines under chemical reactions with the ozone and nitrous acid in the air. Smoke will also attach to the skin and hair, which is known as "third hand smoke". In other words, health damage not only can be caused by first or second hand smoke, but also the hazardous substances in the environment after smoking, which will also affect people who live in the same environment.