Kenting Forest Recreation Area covers 400 hectares with no smoking zones  Smokers dissatisfied

▲ Kenting Forest Recreation Area covers a fairly large area, but the absence of any smoking zones within the park has upset smokers. The photo shows the Sea-View Flower Corridor in Kenting Forest Recreation Area. (Photo / Taken fromPingtung Forest District Office - Kenting National Forest Recreation Area Facebook fan page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

All national parks, national nature parks, designated scenic areas, forest recreation areas, and park green spaces across Taiwan have implemented a no-smoking policy except in designated smoking zones since April 1, with no grace period. However, in the popular southern Taiwan tourist destination —Kenting National Park’s forest recreation area, which spans over 400 hectares, has not set up a single smoking zone, prompting public criticism that the enforcement is “excessive.”.

According to a report by Liberty Times, some members of the public have complained to print media, stating that although smoking is prohibited in the scenic areas of Kenting National Park, designated smoking zones are available. In contrast, the forest recreation area has a complete ban with no smoking zones at all. While the intention behind the smoking ban is good, the lack of even one designated area in such a large park is somewhat inconsiderate.

In response, the Pingtung Forest Management Office’s Recreation Section explained that the Kenting Forest Recreation Area contains many precious tree species, and due to concerns that unextinguished cigarette butts could cause forest fires, no smoking zones have been planned in this area. They also hope that visitors will temporarily put down their cigarettes and fully enjoy the forest’s phytoncides. Although the park remains entirely smoke-free, they will consider setting up a smoking zone near the ticket office in the future.