Taiwan's Department of Health warns: No e-cigarette products have been approved, and violators may be heavily fined

Taiwan's Department of Health warns: No e-cigarette products have been approved, and violators may be heavily fined

Taiwan's 'National Health Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare' said that Taiwan has not approved any e-cigarette products. The production, import, sale, supply, display or advertising of unauthorized new tobacco products will be fined up to NT$5 million (US$152,263), and users may face a fine of NT$10,000.

According to Taiwan's Taipei Times on July 26, Taiwan has not currently approved any e-cigarette products, and the 'National Health Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (HPA)' said that people who use heat-not-burn products and e-cigarettes will be fined.

HPA Director Wu Zhaojun cited the newly revised "Tobacco Harm Control Act" and said that new tobacco and nicotine products may not be used or distributed without government approval. The production, import, sale, supply, display or advertising of unauthorized new tobacco products will be fined up to NT$5 million (US$152,263), and users may be fined NT$10,000.

Wu Zhaojun said that since the amendment came into effect in March last year, the HPA has received 12 applications for authorization to use heat-not-burn products from commercial entities, of which 8 companies' applications were rejected and two companies were asked to provide additional information to complete the evaluation.

Luo Suying, director of the 'HPA Tobacco Control Section', said that the agency has appointed a panel of toxicology, public health and addiction experts to evaluate requests for authorization to use specific heat-not-burn products. The panel has held 30 meetings so far, and all applicants can expect a fair evaluation as long as they provide all the required information.

Luo Suying pointed out that since the HPA's main responsibility is to protect the health of children and the public and to implement strict standards before accepting manufacturers' claims, the evaluation process is inevitably time-consuming. Therefore, some companies are asked to provide additional data, which usually takes one to three months.

"Restrictions on the marketing and sale of new tobacco products, tobacco tax collection and other regulatory matters will be properly considered after the evaluation of all applications is completed."