Smokers, take note: Smoking in national scenic areas will incur fines of up to NT$10,000 starting April 1

▲Starting April 1, smoking in non

Tourist Centers / General Report

Smokers need to pay special attention when traveling starting April 1st. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced“Smoking is prohibited in national parks, national nature parks, scenic areas, forest recreation areas, and park green spaces except in designated smoking zones; in areas without designated smoking zones, smoking is completely banned.”This regulation took effect on April 1, 2014.

The 13 National Scenic Area Administrations under the jurisdiction of the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications have cooperated with this policy by designating 66 non-smoking areas within national scenic areas. They have installed signage in these no-smoking zones and assigned staff to provide guidance, as well as assist in collecting evidence against violators for investigation and action by local health bureaus. The Tourism Bureau has also sent letters to tourism industry associations, including travel agencies, tour guides, and tour leaders, to inform their members about the no-smoking regulations. Travelers are also advised that if they smoke in no-smoking zones within national scenic areas,they may be fined between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000 under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.The public is urged to cooperate with the campaign and abide by no-smoking rules to avoid legal penalties.