Taiwan (China)

Taiwan (China) is not a member of the World Health Organization and therefore cannot be a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited in indoor workplaces jointly used by three or more persons; however, this prohibition does not apply to workplaces that are listed as public places.  There are also some limitations on smoking in indoor public places such as schools, universities, cultural institutions, government buildings and places for indoor sports and entertainment. However, smoking is allowed in designated smoking rooms in other public places such as hotels, shopping malls, restaurants, cigar houses, bars, and nightclubs. Smoking is prohibited in public transportation vehicles and public transportation stations or passenger rooms, except in the international airport, which has smoking lounges. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Most forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. However, point of sale product displays are allowed with certain restrictions on display size and location. Some forms of promotion, such as retailer incentive programs, may also escape the ban. There are some restrictions on tobacco sponsorship and the publicity of such sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Pictorial and text health warnings must occupy 50 percent of the front and back of the packaging of smoked tobacco products. There are eight authorized warnings and one authorized warning must appear on the front of the package and a different authorized warning must appear on the back. The warnings should be rotated so that all eight warnings appear with equal frequency. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law requires that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes, small packs of cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco products. In addition, the law prohibits tobacco product sales by vending machine and through the internet. There are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products based on location. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 20.

E-Cigarettes

The law bans the use, manufacture, import, sale, supply, display, and advertising of imitation tobacco products, which, by definition, includes e-cigarettes and their components.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, as amended in 2023, is the primary tobacco control law in Taiwan (China) and governs, among other things, restrictions on smoking in public; tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and tobacco packaging and labeling. The Act bans the sale, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes. Several regulations have been issued under this Act, including: 1) Regulations for Establishment of Indoor Smoking Rooms, 2) Regulations for the Administration of the Display and the Labeling of Tobacco Products at Tobacco-Selling Premises, 3) Regulations for the Testing of Yields of Nicotine and Tar Contained in Tobacco Products and the Labeling of Cigarette Containers (as amended), and 4) Regulations Governing Reporting of Tobacco Product Information.

Review Status

Taiwan (China)’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff. No lawyers or tobacco control experts from Taiwan (China) were consulted for the review.