Fines for Possessing E-Cigarettes Raised to Over US$3,000
Possession of e-cigarettes in Taiwan could soon result in fines of up to US$3,000. It's the latest penalty as the government cracks down on the vapes, which are banned in the country. Earlier in the week, the Cabinet announced the reclassification of a dangerous e-cigarette additive, etomidate, to a Category 1 narcotic, which means its manufacture and distribution can result in a death sentence.
E-Cigarette Crackdown in Taiwan
REPORTER:
The government is cracking down on the use of e-cigarettes, now raising the fine for possession to up to 3,000 US dollars.
Shi-lun Wei (DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL, HEALTH PROMOTION ADMIN.):
Before, there might have only been a fine of US$63 to US$315 for using e-cigarettes. Now, possession of e-cigarettes could face a fine of at least US$947 to US$3,159 under this new plan.
REPORTER:
The move comes as the Cabinet seeks to prevent usage of e-cigarettes, which are completely banned in Taiwan. The latest government data found that at least 40,000 teenagers use e-cigarettes. Ones laced with the narcotic etomidate, sometimes called “zombie vapes,” have recently been in the spotlight after several fatal traffic accidents involving users. Manufacturing or distributing those in Taiwan can now get the death sentence.
REPORTER:
The government is cracking down on the use of e-cigarettes, now raising the fine for possession to nearly 1,000 US dollars.
Shi-lun Wei (DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL, HEALTH PROMOTION ADMINISTRATION):
Before, there might only be a fine of US$63 to US$315 for using e-cigarettes. Now, possession of e-cigarettes could face a fine of at least US$947 under this new plan.
REPORTER:
The move comes as the Cabinet seeks remedies to prevent usage of e-cigarettes, which are completely banned in Taiwan. The latest government data found that at least 40,000 teenagers use e-cigarettes. Illegal “zombie vapes” laced with the narcotic etomidate have recently been in the spotlight after several fatal traffic accidents involving users. Manufacturing or distributing those in Taiwan can now result in a death sentence.
