[Life] E-cigarettes reportedly infiltrating elementary schools; Shih Chung-liang: Related legal amendments to be sent to the Legislative Yuan as early as next week
bella@@ 央廣 新聞5h ago
Taiwan has a complete ban on e-cigarettes, but they are widely available on the market, and now there are reports that they have infiltrated schools. 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 and Control 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 e-cigarettes but also add criminal liabilities for manufacturers, importers, and sellers to strengthen management. #Reported by Radio Taiwan International (RTI) correspondent Liu Pin-hsi#
The rampant use of e-cigarettes in schools is becoming increasingly serious. Recently, a parent in a local community in Taichung revealed that fifth-grade elementary school students were collectively smoking e-cigarettes in the school restroom and treating each other, but the school stated that investigations over several days found no evidence. As the new drug "etomidate," commonly known as "zombie vape," is often mixed into e-cigarette oil, it has caused public concern.
In response, Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated in an interview before attending the Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Committee on the morning of the 18th 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 drug 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 in schools before the amendment of the "Tobacco Hazards Prevention and Control Act" is passed. He said: "(Original sound) In addition, it will also empower the confiscation within schools, 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 starts from the source, following the vine to find the melon, tracing where this product comes from, how the children obtained it, and cooperating with the investigation and prosecution 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 and Control 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 involved. Another key point is to regulate "possession" of e-cigarettes. In the past, there were only penalty provisions for the "use" of e-cigarettes. This amendment adds a prohibition on "possession" of e-cigarettes. Violators of possession will not only have their products confiscated, but the penalties for possession and use of e-cigarettes will also 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 for platform operators to establish risk control and self-discipline mechanisms for illegal information, and to cooperate with the exercise of public authority during investigations, including mandatory blocking, removal, and concealment. (Editor: Song Wan-yuan)
Source link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215215
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