Since the new provisions in the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act took effect in 2009, HPA has achieved the following results in the field of tobacco hazards prevention through the promotion of various strategies.
The smoking rate of adults above the age of 18 dropped from 21.9% in 2008 to 13.0% in 2018 (Figure 3-1). Taiwan is making steady progress toward the target of a 30% reduction in tobacco use by 2025 set by WHO NCD. In addition, the second-hand smoke exposure rate of adults above the age of 18 in indoor public spaces dropped significantly from 27.8% in 2008 to 3.6% in 2018 due to a gradual expansion of non-smoking areas. The second-hand smoke exposure rate in indoor and outdoor public non-smoking areas also decreased considerably from 23.7% in 2008 to 5.4% in 2018. The smoking ban has a protective efficacy of 94.6% with regard to prevention of exposure to second-hand smoke in non-smoking areas.
The Department continues to promote the revision of the “Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act,” increase the area of warning graphics, non-smoking areas in indoor public places, and increase measures such as strong control of e-cigarettes and the prohibition of flavored cigarettes. At the same time, we continue to promote “smoke-free workplaces” and combine corporate strength to bring smoking cessation services into the workplace.