New Taipei City Adds E-Cigarette Regulation to Special Ordinance, Bans Sales to Minors

According to a report by China Times Electronic News, New Taipei City’s municipal meeting on the 16th approved the draft “New Taipei City Tobacco Products and E-Cigarette Management Ordinance,” stipulating that minors under the age of 18 may not possess or use e-cigarettes. Violators must receive smoking cessation education, and guardians will also be held jointly responsible, with fines ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000. Selling e-cigarettes to minors will bring even heavier penalties of NT$10,000 to NT$50,000.

Lin Qihong, director of the New Taipei City Department of Health, said that e-liquids sold on the market containing nicotine or tar are regarded as pharmaceutical products. Businesses must apply to the Food and Drug Administration for inspection and registration, and may only manufacture or import them after obtaining a license. In recent years, the number of cases involving illegal sales has surged from 36 in 2013 to 1,639 last year, showing the seriousness of the situation.

Lin Qihong said that e-cigarettes use atomizers to turn liquid nicotine into vapor, creating an effect similar to smoking. Because they do not require ignition and do not produce the smell of smoke, many people believe e-cigarettes can serve as an alternative for quitting smoking. However, e-cigarettes are still addictive and toxic.

Lin Qihong pointed out that under Taiwan’s current laws, e-cigarettes are only regulated as pharmaceutical products. As e-cigarettes have become widespread on campuses and are now a common substance of abuse among teenagers, the New Taipei City government has taken the lead in formulating a local ordinance to bring e-cigarettes under tobacco product regulations and ban them from entering campuses.

The ordinance stipulates that minors under 18 may not possess or use e-cigarettes. Violators must receive smoking cessation education, and guardians must also bear joint liability, with fines ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000. Selling e-cigarettes to minors will result in heavy fines of NT$10,000 to NT$50,000, and penalties may be imposed repeatedly for each violation.

Lin Qihong stated that after approval at the municipal meeting, the ordinance will be submitted to the city council for review and could take effect as early as next year. Starting immediately, the Department of Health will also begin public awareness efforts targeting campuses, medical institutions, and retail outlets to help prevent people from breaking the law.