Smoking banned in Alishan Forest Recreation Area from December; violators face fines of up to NT$10,000

▲ Smoking is completely banned in the Alishan Forest Recreation Area starting December 1. (Photo / From the Alishan National Scenic Area website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

To create a fresh, healthy, and smoke-free environment, starting December 1, smoking will be completely prohibited in the Alishan Forest Recreation Area, except for designated smoking areas between the main gate toll station and the first control post, within the residential area of Xianglin Village, and in outdoor smoking zones. Lin Yih-kwang, director of the Chiayi Forest District Office under the Forestry Bureau, stated that properly separating smokers and non-smokers helps maintain air quality and protect visitors' health in the park.

Director Lin Yih-kwang of the Chiayi Forest District Office explained that the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is an important leisure destination in Taiwan and one of the must-visit spots for international tourists. In light of this, the Chiayi Forest District Office has actively invited relevant agencies to conduct on-site inspections and meetings at Alishan in accordance with the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. Several outdoor locations have been selected to serve as designated smoking areas, effectively separating smokers and non-smokers to help maintain air quality and visitor health in the park.

The Forest District Office emphasized that Chiayi County Government officially announced on October 21, 2013, that smoking is not allowed anywhere in the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area except in designated smoking zones. Offenders may be fined between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000. All visitors and members of the public are urged to comply with the regulations to jointly maintain good air quality and recreational standards within the forest recreation area.