[Life] Electronic Cigarettes Reportedly Invading Elementary School Campuses; Shih Chung-liang: Related Amendments to be Sent to Legislature as Early as Next Week
bellala 央廣5h ago
Taiwan has a complete ban on electronic cigarettes, but they are widely available on the market, and now there are reports that they have infiltrated school campuses. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated today (18th) that the Executive Yuan will pass the amendment draft of the "Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act" as early as next week, and then submit it to the Legislative Yuan for review. The amendment will not only explicitly prohibit "possession" of electronic cigarettes but also add criminal liabilities for manufacturers, importers, and sellers to strengthen management. #CNA reporter Liu Pin-hsi reporting#
The rampant spread of electronic cigarettes on campuses is becoming increasingly serious. Recently, a parent in a local community in Taichung revealed that fifth-grade elementary school students were collectively smoking electronic cigarettes in the school restroom and treating each other, but the school stated that investigations over several days had not found any evidence. As the new drug "etomidate," commonly known as "zombie vape cartridges," is often mixed into e-cigarette oil, it has caused public concern.
In response, Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang, speaking to reporters before attending the Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Committee on the morning of the 18th, said that both drug prevention and tobacco hazard prevention require cross-ministerial cooperation. Regarding "etomidate," it is a drug, not a tobacco product. The Ministry of Justice has already upgraded it to a Class 1 narcotic for enhanced investigation. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will also cooperate with the Ministry of Education to strengthen campus education, urging children and adolescents not to use it out of curiosity, and to enhance the investigation of contraband on campuses before the amendment of the "Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act" is passed. He said: "(Original sound) In addition, it will also empower the confiscation within campuses, and before our law is passed, it can also be temporarily stored and then notified to our health bureau for investigation. When investigating, of course, it will start from the source, follow the clues, trace where this product comes from, and how the children obtained it, to trace upstream, and cooperate with judicial investigations to strengthen the crackdown."
Shih Chung-liang said that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has submitted the amendment draft of the "Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act" to the Executive Yuan. The Executive Yuan has held several meetings, and the articles have been largely finalized. Currently, the final text and criminal liability comparison are being organized. It is expected to be discussed and passed by the Executive Yuan meeting as early as next week and then submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review.
Shih Chung-liang pointed out that the main purpose of this amendment is to add criminal liabilities for manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and sellers, and to impose different penalties and fines based on the severity of the offense and the quantity. Another key point is to regulate the "possession" of electronic cigarettes. In the past, there were only penalty provisions for the "use" of electronic cigarettes. This amendment adds a prohibition on "possession" of electronic cigarettes. Violators of possession will have their products confiscated, and the penalties for possession and use of electronic cigarettes will be increased, with different penalties imposed based on the severity of the offense.
In addition, this amendment will also simultaneously strengthen the management and responsibilities of internet platforms, adding provisions that platform operators should establish risk control and self-discipline mechanisms for illegal information, and must cooperate with the exercise of public authority during investigations, including mandatory blocking and removal of concealed information. (Editor: Song Wan-yuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215215
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