Smoking to be banned in Taipei's Xinyi Shopping District from Nov. 1

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) Smoking will be banned in Taipei's Xinyi Shopping District near MRT's Taipei City Hall station from Nov. 1, with violators facing fines of up to NT$10,000 (US$318) after a one-month grace period starting Thursday.

Two negative‑pressure smoking rooms near the MRT Taipei City Hall Station were opened Wednesday, raising the total to 12 since the first was inaugurated in Ximending on May 7.

Speaking at the inauguration, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan‑an (蔣萬安) said the facilities were the first built with donations from civic groups, including the Rotary Club of Taipei Hwashan, thanking the four organizations for supporting the city's cigarette‑free vision.

Taipei Department of Health Commissioner Huang Chien‑hua (黃建華) said the smoke‑free zone covers the area around Exits 2 and 3 of the MRT Taipei City Hall Station, with fines of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000 starting Nov. 1.

The area extends east to Songren Road, west to Section 1 of Keelung Road, south to Songgao Road and north to Section 5 of Zhongxiao East Road, including sidewalks along the boundary, the Department of Health told CNA via text message.

During the grace period, the Department of Health staff will be assigned to promote the smoke‑free zone, while personnel will be dispatched in line with business hours of the shopping district to provide guidance and conduct inspections from November, it added.

As of Aug. 31, Taipei's 12 designated negative‑pressure smoking areas, opened in stages since May 7, had recorded a cumulative 535,258 visits, the Department of Health said.