Smoking ban, new bicycing rules launched( Taipei Times )
發佈日期： 2014-04-09
Smoking is now banned in 66 locations in 13 national scenic areas, the Tourism Bureau said yesterday, while new rules for bicyclists and drivers also went into effect.
The 66 include 19 in Greater Tainan, eight in Taitung County, seven in Pingtung County and six in New Taipei City.
The bureau said that smoking is prohibited throughout the national parks — including visitors’ centers, hiking trails, rest areas, parking lots, offices and conference rooms of the national scenic area administration buildings — except in designated smoking areas.
Violators will be subject to a fine of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000 under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (菸害防制法).
The bureau said that it has set up billboards in the national scenic areas informing people about the policy change, which complies with the Ministry of Health and Welfare non-smoking policy and applies to the national parks, national scenic areas and forest parks, as well as local government parks.
It has also informed travel industry associations about the new policy, which should be relayed to travelers.
There are five non-smoking locations in non-national scenic areas.
Separately, several other measures were also planned to take effect from yesterday.
The Directorate-General of Highways said that bicycle riders will be fined NT$300 if they use their smartphones, fail to yield to pedestrians or forget to turn on their lights at night. Anyone riding under the influence of alcohol will face a penalty of NT$600.
Motorists will be given 30 days to pay their fines, instead of 15.
