Taipei’s Xinyi Shopping District to ban smoking near MRT station from November
Smoking will be banned in Taipei’s Xinyi Shopping District near the Taipei City Hall MRT Station from 1 Nov, with offenders facing fines of up to NT$10,000 (about S$400).
Authorities will implement a one-month grace period starting Thursday (1 Oct), during which health officials will also educate the public about the new smoke-free zone before enforcement begins.
Source: Discover Taipei
The restricted area covers the surroundings of Taipei City Hall MRT Station’s exits two and three, extending east to Songren Road, west to section one of Keelung Road, south to Songgao Road and north to section five of Zhongxiao East Road.
Sidewalks along the boundary are also included.
Two new smoking rooms opened
To promote a smoke-free city, Taipei first introduced negative-pressure smoking rooms in Ximending on 7 May.
Source: Focus Taiwan
On 29 Sept, Taipei also launched two additional negative-pressure smoking rooms near Taipei City Hall MRT Station, bringing the city’s total to 12 designated smoking facilities.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said the new facilities were the first to be built with donations from civic organisations, including the Rotary Club of Taipei Hwashan and three other groups.
He also thanked the organisations for supporting the city’s efforts to create more smoke-free public spaces.
Fines to begin after grace period
Taipei Department of Health Commissioner Huang Chien-hua said violators in the new smoke-free zone will also face fines ranging from NT$2,000 (around S$80) to NT$10,000 (around S$400) starting 1 Nov.
During the grace period, health department staff will inform residents, visitors and businesses about the new rules.
Source: Focus Taiwan
Taipei’s designated smoking areas recorded 535,258 visits by 31 August, according to the Department of Health.
Expanding smoke-free zones in stages, Taipei has also limited smoking at Xiangti Avenue Plaza to designated areas since 2016.
A municipal survey found that 96% supported and 93.1% were satisfied with Ximending’s smoke-free measures.
Also read: Smoking Ban At S’pore Parks Fully Effective From 1 Oct, Offenders Face S$200 Fine
Smoking Ban At S’pore Parks Fully Effective From 1 Oct, Offenders Face S$200 Fine
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Featured image adapted from Rattankun Thongbun on Canva and Discover Taipei.
