Tobacco Control in Taiwan: A Taiwanese NGO Perspective. Sea-Wain Yau John Tung Foundation

Transcription

1 Tobacco Control in Taiwan: A Taiwanese NGO Perspective Sea-Wain Yau John Tung Foundation 1

2 I. Introduction A. Taiwan s Tobacco Use Total Population: 23,000,000 Adult Smokers: 350,000/19.1% Male: 310,000/33.5% Female: 40,000/4.4% 2

3 Indoor Second-Hand Smoke Exposure: 42.6% Junior High Smoking Rate: 7.3% Male: 10.5% Female: 3.7% High School Smoking Rate: 14.7% Male: 20.3% Female: 8.1% 3

4 B. John Tung Foundation Founded in 1984 by Dr. David Yen, with a general purpose of promoting public health : 1. Tobacco Control 2. Mental Health 3. Nutrition 4

5 John Tung Foundation has involved in every anti-tobacco activities in Taiwan 5

6 Celebrities participated in social movements against tobacco 6

7 II. The Law on Tobacco Control A. A Brief History 1987 U.S. forced open the tobacco market, and asked for deregulation of advertising and promotion After 6 years of protests by NGOs, in 1993, the U.S. government finally agreed not to further press the subject of tobacco advertising and promotion 7

8 1988 "Tobacco Hazards Act, the first version of the on tobacco control was drafted and submitted to the government 1991 Executive Yuen submitted the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act to the Legislative Yuen 1997 Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act promulgated 8

9 2003 FCTC adopted by WHO 2005 Taiwan s Legislature ratified FCTC 2007 Tobacco Hazard Prevention Act amended 2009 Amended Tobacco Hazard Prevention Act in force 9

10 B. Inadequacies of the Current Law 1. The insignificant 35% graphic health warnings; 2. The inadequate ban on Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; 3. Indoor public and work places are not 100% smoke-free; and 4. Insufficient restrictions on in-store displays. 10

11 1. Graphic Health Warning * Graphic warnings cover only 35% of the cigarette containers * Due to the ban on cigarette advertising, tobacco companies kept using cigarette containers to promote their products. JTI designed side-opening mechanism to create larger surface for advertising area, which in effect decrease the percentage of warning 11

12 Examples of Cigarette Packaging 12

13 2. Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Philip Morris held a Golden Party in a night club to introduce their new cigarette which has special packaging for individual. They sent out the party information online. 13

14 Imperial Tobacco s David Dove has new designs on their cigarette pack with singing, street dancing and DJ figures, tried to appeal to the younger generation. 14

15 John Tung Foundation invited other NGOs to hold many press conferences to protest the tobacco companies illegal advertisings 15

16 3. Smoke-Free Environment High Schools and Below: Indoor areas- total ban Outdoor areas- total ban Colleges and Universities: Outdoor areas-smoking allowed in designated areas Work Places: Indoor areas- total ban for >3 Outdoor areas- no smoking ban 16

17 Health Facilities: Indoor areas-smoking allowed in smoking room Outdoor areas-smoking allowed in designated areas Restaurants: Indoor areas-smoking allowed in smoking room Outdoor areas- no smoking ban Nightclubs: Indoor areas- no smoking ban Outdoor areas- no smoking ban 1717

18 * One month after the implementation of the amended Act, close to 90% of the people surveyed expressed their satisfaction with the improvements. * Yet in the following 10 months, John Tung Foundation received more than 1,000 complaints, many of which were violations in Internet Cafés and workplaces. 18

19 4. Illegal Displays 19

20 III. What Need to be Done 1. Further amend the law to counter tobacco companies' new tactics and to adapt to the society's current needs. 2. The government must abstain from being involved in the tobacco business. 20

21 1. Further Amendments of the Law (1) Smoke-Free Environment: 100% smoke free in indoor public places and workplaces, and to strengthen the inspection mechanism by requiring penalties to be imposed upon owners of the non-smoking places who do not comply with the law. 21

22 (2) Graphic Health Warning and In-store Display: Graphic health warnings no less than 80% and/or plain packaging, and tobacco product display in the sales places should be completely prohibited 22

23 (3) Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Prohibit tobacco industry from doing any form of advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and increase the penalties on tobacco companies who conduct illegal advertisings and promotions. 23

24 (4) Increase the Price of Tobacco: Average price of tobacco in Taiwan is USD2.10 per pack. According to WHO, the average price of tobacco product in high-income countries was USD4,99 per pack. Tobacco tax for each pack of cigarettes should hence be increased, and no duty-free tobacco products should be allowed at the airports. 24

25 2. Government s Non-involvement in the Tobacco Business * Tobacco used to be a monopolized business operated by the government in Taiwan. * In 2002, the Monopoly Bureau ceased to operate and gave way to its successor, the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation. * TTLC is still 100% owned by the Ministry of Finance. 25

26 * TTLC has at least 30% of the market share, hence a major players in today's tobacco market in Taiwan. * Burdening the motivation or the impartiality of the government in strengthening and enforcing tobacco regulations. 26

27 IV. Conclusion: The Next Generation * Adult Smoking Rate ( ): Average: 32.5% 19.1% Male: 59.4% 33.5% Female: 3.8% 4.4% 27

28 * Youth Smoking Rates ( ): Junior High School: 6.6% 7.3% High School: 15.2% 14.7% Women and younger generations are now the targets of the tobacco companies in Taiwan. 28

29 * Tobacco industry in Taiwan has utilized various creative strategies to lure our youth to start smoking. * Youth need to be properly educated and protected from becoming new smokers. * The tobacco war is about winning our next generation. 29

30 Thank You 30