Taiwan Sees 132-Fold Surge in Illicit E-Cigarette Pods, Advocacy Groups Call for Total Ban on Possession

Key points:

1. Advocacy groups and lawmakers in Taiwan, China, have urged a complete ban on e-cigarettes.
 

2. Etomidate-based e-cigarettes, accused of being a new type of drug, saw a 132-fold increase in one year.
 

3. The groups also urge stricter regulations on advertising platforms and propose raising the maximum fine to T$5 million ($152,244).

Taiwanese civil groups and lawmakers held a press conference urging a full ban on e-cigarettes, warning they could become a channel for new illicit drugs, Udn reported on March 11.

They emphasized that progress on amending the Tobacco Hazard Prevention Act has been slower than expected, failing to fully ban the possession of e-cigarettes.

According to data from the Food and Drug Administration, 2,905 cases of "zombie" e-cigarette pods (containing etomidate) were detected between January and October 2024, marking a 132-fold increase compared to the same period in 2023, making it one of the most severe new drugs.

Although the government has amended laws to comprehensively ban e-cigarettes and require online platforms to remove illegal e-cigarette advertisements within 24 hours, there is no clear prohibition on the possession of e-cigarettes.

The National Education Action Alliance, the National Parent Group Alliance, the Dong Foundation, the Taiwan Cancer Foundation, the Mother Alliance, and the Taiwan Community Welfare Promotion Association have highlighted in their petition that the online advertising provisions in the draft Tobacco Harm Prevention Act are insufficiently stringent.

Currently, online platforms face fines of up to T$2 million ($62,000) if they fail to remove e-cigarette advertisements promptly, but they are not required to monitor advertisements. 

Therefore, they are calling for stricter regulations on advertisement platforms, with a proposed fine increase to T$5 million ($152,244). Those selling nicotine-containing e-cigarettes could face sentences of over seven years.

Lin Yueqin, a lawmaker in Taiwan, China, criticized current regulations, noting that while e-cigarettes are banned, online sales continue unchecked due to ineffective removal mechanisms. 

She called for better oversight from e-commerce and social media platforms and stressed the need for stronger action against illegal trade, as well as psychological support and cessation programs for addicts.