Taiwan announces open-air smoking ban

Smoking tobacco will be banned outside of designated areas in Taiwan’s national parks and scenic areas from the start of next month, according to a story on Focus Taiwan News Channel.

Not all parks and scenic areas will have designated smoking areas, in which case no smoking will be allowed anywhere.

Under the new policy, announced yesterday by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, smoking will be banned also at outdoor concerts.

Subjecting people to secondhand smoke was a violation of their basic human rights, the ministry was quoted as saying.

Those caught violating the new regulations will be subject to fines of between TWD$2,000 (US$68) and TWD$10,000.

Some smoking advocates claim that the regulations announced yesterday are unconstitutional.