Page 86 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019

84 while actively seeking the support of legislators. In March 2018, we announced the new Dietary Guidelines for citizens, including "Daily Dietary Guidelines", "National Dietary Indicators", and Nutrition in the Life Span. The balanced diet image "My Plate", as well as relevant tips, were then announced in May to assist the public on living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet. (j) In 2018, the main focus of health education included suicide prevention gatekeepers, promotion of organ donation, and predecided medical autonomy, advocacy on refusing drug abuse and sugar reduction - proper diet and nutrition. A total of 22 health education activities were held, with a total of 22,396 participants, and over 90% were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" for each event. Around 10 videos were produced for broadcasts, subject websites, extensive editing, and network activities based on different aspects. 12. Effects of investigating the smuggling of inferior tobacco products at the national and local levels: (a) A total of 1.802 million packages of illegal tobacco products worth NT$1.149 billion have been seized in 3,039 detected cases of smuggling. (b) In view of the increase in tobacco taxation triggered smuggling incentives, the government continued to review and amend the "Improved Execution Plan for Investigations on Tobacco Smuggling" to enhance the investigational performance on the smuggling of inferior tobacco products, with the aim of maintaining an orderly market, stabilizing the government’s tax revenue, and protecting consumer rights. From October 20, 2016 to the end of December 2018, the investigation program had outstanding achievements and discovered more than 40.7 million illegal tobaccos. (c) There has also been 161 media campaigns and diversified education activities that have been organized to prevent the sale of tobacco products of unknown origin and inhibit smuggling and the sale of inferior tobacco products at low prices. (d) Education activities have been organized to give the general public a more accurate understanding of taxation concepts in order to prevent tax evasion for tobacco products and remind consumers to refrain from buying tobacco products of unknown origin or with unreasonable prices with the ultimate goal of health maintenance, prevention of tax evasion, and maintenance of fairness in taxation. (a total of 45 such events were held in 2018) 13. Effects of guidance and care for tobacco farmers and workers in related industries: (a) Support for economically viable alternative activities: As of October 31, 2018, 1,529 farmers have completed applications for crop conversion(representing 99.9% of the 1,530 farmers, with total area of crop conversion of 624.8096 hectares, while 1 farmer has given up the application) Lump subsidies of NT$ 600,000 per hectare or subsidies for purchase of equipment/facilities required for crop conversion were granted. Approved subsidies amount to NT$ 523,194,992 and allocation of funds continues. (b) Betel nut production controls have been strengthened in an effort to decrease the betel nut planting area and thereby prevent cancer in line with cancer prevention and land restoration policies of the central government. Guidance for farmland restoration and crop conversion had been provided for a total area of 720 hectares by 2018.