Since the March 2023 amendment to Taiwan’s Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which prohibits the sale, demonstration, and use of e-cigarettes, enforcement has been notably insufficient, according to one Taiwanese legislator. Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wan Mei-ling highlighted that out of 500,000 e-cigarette-related cases, only 1,247 resulted in fines—a mere 0.25%.
The fines issued include 251 for selling e-cigarettes, 619 for selling heated tobacco devices, and 404 for illegal use. Additionally, between July and September 2024, authorities confiscated 681 “zombie vapes” containing the anesthetic etomidate, averaging 227 per month. Etomidate, classified as a Category 2 narcotic, poses significant health risks, including adrenal insufficiency and impaired concentration, potentially leading to accidents.
Wan[MM1] emphasized the health dangers of e-cigarettes, particularly for adolescents, citing risks to brain development, lung damage, and increased cancer susceptibility. She called for enhanced inspections and public awareness campaigns to mitigate the societal impact of e-cigarettes and associated substances.
In response, the Executive Yuan [MM2] reported that the High Prosecutors’ Office convened meetings with relevant ministries to discuss e-cigarette prevention and control. Efforts include intensified investigations into e-cigarettes laced with illegal drugs, collaboration with e-commerce and social media platforms to identify sellers, suspension of illegal websites, and tracking financial transactions to enforce the ban more effectively.
[MM1]Is that the proper way to do the name?
[MM2]Who? IS that a full name?
