Page 84 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019

82 investigations, 17 early screenings and detections of cancer, 28 cancer treatment research studies, and 1 research study related to cancer care study. 10. Tobacco hazards prevention at the national and local levels (a) Smoking rates of adults aged 18 and above decreased from 21.9% in 2008 to 13.0% in 2018 and the number of smokers dropped by 40% (1,420,000), The youth smoking rate in junior high school dropped by more than a half (63.8%) from 7.8% in 2008 to 2.8% in 2018, while the number of high school students using any tobacco product dropped by more than 40% (45.7%) from 14.8% in 2007 to 8.0% in 2018.Second-hand smoke exposure rates in legally stipulated non-smoking areas continue to decline (from 23.7% in 2008 to 5.4% in 2018). The protection rate exceeds 90%. (b) Local health bureaus take the initiative in law enforcement audits and guidance. Tobacco hazards prevention act audits were carried out in over 680,000 institutions nationwide and fines totaling NT$ 119,450,000 were imposed in 7,469 cases. Implementation of the smoke-free area program will be continued for campuses, workplaces, and army bases. Tobacco control work has been promoted in 35 universities and colleges. (c) Utilization of multimedia channels and an interactive experience vehicle for tobacco control education: The vehicle tours to university campuses and communities all over the country provide education on second-hand smoke, e-cigarettes, and smoking cessation to promote the health promotion services of this administration. (d) Hospitals are encouraged to participate in international tobacco-free hospital certifications. Between 2012 and 2018, a total of 18 hospitals had been honored with international awards and certifications. (e) 705,953 individuals received second-generation smoking cessation services in 2018. Over 50,000 smokers successfully kicked their habit with the help of these services. This is expected to lead to savings in medical expenses in excess of NT$ 280 million in the short run and economic benefits in excess of NT$ 21.2 billion in the long run. (f) Promotion of a comprehensive revision and amendment of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act with a focus on strengthening of e-cigarette management, banning of flavored cigarettes, expansion of pictorial health warnings to 85% of the container, expansion of smoking bans in indoor public areas, provision of additional legal and medical assistance, stiffer fines for illegal advertising and promotion, and publicly announced bans on objects imitating tobacco product use. The first reading of the draft amendment was completed on December 29, 2017 in the Legislative Yuan. 11. Effects of public health services at the national and local levels (a) Guidance in antepartum health care and education was provided for 186,565 pregnant women between Jan to Oct in 2018. Subsidies for prenatal examinations for pregnant new immigrants without health insurance coverage were provided in 6,180 cases. Total subsidies of NT$3,034,061 for women in high-risk groups for hereditary diseases including low-income households and residents of 80 regions with genetic health measures and medical resources disadvantaged were granted in 43,229 cases. Abnormalities were detected in 1,419 cases which were provided with follow-up genetic counseling (tracking rate of 98.59%).