Taiwan Media: E-Cigarettes Contain Nicotine and Become More Addictive the More You Use Them

The Taipei City Health Bureau held a press conference on October 20 to announce the results of the 2014 e-cigarette inspections, with citizens viewing various e-cigarette devices and liquids. (Source: Taiwan "China Times")

According to a report by Taiwan's "China Times" on October 21, a new auction item called "e-cigarettes" has emerged online, often claiming to help smokers quit. However, the public may not know that Taiwan's "Ministry of Health and Welfare" has not approved any "e-cigarette" products. This year, the Taipei City Health Bureau has seized 320 cases of illegal online sales of e-cigarettes, with sellers violating the "Pharmaceutical Affairs Act" and facing up to 10 years in prison.

According to the relevant provisions of the "Pharmaceutical Affairs Act," e-cigarettes containing nicotine are classified as drugs. If they are manufactured or imported without prior application and registration with the "Ministry of Health and Welfare," violators can face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to NT$10 million.

The Taipei City Health Bureau stated that currently, the "Ministry of Health and Welfare" has not approved any e-cigarette products. If an e-cigarette does not contain nicotine but claims to have effects such as "helping to quit smoking," "reducing cravings," or "alleviating withdrawal symptoms," it can be fined between NT$600,000 and NT$25 million for violating the "Pharmaceutical Affairs Act," and the illegal items will be confiscated and destroyed.

The Director of the Taipei City Food and Drug Administration, Qiu Xiuyi, stated that e-cigarettes not only fail to help quit smoking but also pose health risks. This year, the Taipei City Health Bureau has conducted inspections on online sellers and physical stores selling e-cigarettes, seizing 320 cases of illegal e-cigarette products.

The Health Bureau purchased 54 cases of e-liquid (pods) to send to the "Ministry of Health and Welfare's Food and Drug Administration" for testing to determine if they contain nicotine. They also formed a joint inspection team with the Taipei City Police Department to conduct four joint inspections on e-cigarette sellers.

Qiu Xiuyi mentioned that 34 products have completed testing, with 24 of them testing positive for nicotine. Among these, five sellers were located in Taipei City and have been referred to the Taipei District Prosecutor's Office for further investigation, while the remaining 19 cases have been handed over to the respective county and city health bureaus for processing.