Taipei's Ximending area to ban smoking from June 1, fines up to NT$10,000

Taipei, May 30 (CNA) Smoking will be banned in Taipei's Ximending shopping district from June 1, except in designated smoking areas, with violators facing fines of up to NT$10,000 (US$318).

According to the Taipei Department of Health, the smoke-free zone was originally planned to cover the area bounded by Section 1 of Zhonghua Road, Xining South Road, Chengdu Road, and Section 2 of Hankou Street.

Earlier this week, the department announced that the zone would be expanded to include the area around Exit 4 of MRT Ximen Station, Yanping South Road, Xiushan Street, and Hengyang Road.

The department said the move aims to protect the public from secondhand smoke and promote a smoke-free outdoor environment, with violators facing fines of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000 under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act.

People who wish to smoke in the Ximending shopping area in Wanhua District are advised to use negative-pressure smoking rooms and other designated smoking areas.

According to a 2024 survey by the Health Promotion Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 12.8 percent of adults in Taiwan smoke, including 21.5 percent of men and 4.2 percent of women.