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Outdoor smoking ban to begin in October in Xinyi shopping district

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Outdoor smoking ban to begin in October in Xinyi shopping district

Outdoor smoking ban to begin in Xinyi shopping district

An outdoor smoking ban would be implemented as a matter of the city government policy at the Xinyi shopping district as early as October, according to the Chinese-language United Daily News. Offenders will see a fine between NT$2,000 (US$62.5) and NT$10,000 (US$312.5). Known as the "Manhattan of Taipei," the Xinyi shopping district brings together upscale shopping malls, designer boutiques, the Vieshow cinema complex, an Eslite Bookstore, bars, restaurants and hotels, and is surrounded by fancy high-rise office buildings including the Taipei 101 skyscraper, which accommodate top multinational corporations and corporate headquarters. Ever since Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je took office in 2014, the city has been gradually expanding smoke-free outdoor areas for the sake of public health. Ko has reportedly instructed the responsible authorities, the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection of Taipei City Government, to list Xiangti Boulevard in the Xinyi shopping district as a non-smoking area. Xiangti Boulevard generally refers to the outdoor spaces sitting between Shinkong Mitsukoshi Mall Xinyi A8, A9, A11, Breeze Song Gao, Humble House Taipei, and Song Shou Plaza. There are three smoking lounges to be installed to serve smokers, according to the report. Taiwan has instituted the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act since 2009. Smoking is completely prohibited at indoor areas of schools, medical institutions, public transportation vehicles, business areas, hotels, shopping malls, and restaurants. A government survey reveals that the smoking population declined by 470,000 people between 2008 and 2012. (To learn more about the regulations, please click here) Xinyi shopping district will not be the first public outdoor space banned from smoking. According to the city government, more than 900 outdoor spaces in Taipei City have been listed as “non-smoking areas,” including the best-known tourist attractions Songshan Cultural Park, Jianguo Flower Market, and Ningxia Night Market. Xinyi shopping area is said to be the first business area whose outdoor space will ban smoking.