Preliminary Consensus Reached on Outdoor Smoking Area Setup: Away from Entrances, Emphasizing Ventilation

Taiwan has long implemented indoor smoking bans, but outdoor smoking is not clearly restricted, rendering no-smoking signs ineffective. With no one managing or advising, non-smokers in Taiwan's streets still have nowhere to escape. According to a 2024 National Health Agency (NHA) survey, the outdoor secondhand smoke exposure rate reached 48.9%, with roads, streets, and arcades being the primary "disaster areas" for outdoor secondhand smoke.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is planning to promote a smoke-free city, initially selecting the crowded Zhongshan and Ximen commercial districts to set up outdoor negative-pressure smoking rooms. Kuomintang legislator Chen Ching-hui questioned in mid-March that there are no unified standards for outdoor smoking rooms in Taiwan. At that time, Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan promised that the NHA would convene an expert meeting by the end of March to discuss the matter, and the Taipei City Government would provide planning data.

The NHA today provided a written explanation to the Central News Agency reporter regarding the preliminary consensus of the meeting. It had invited scholars, experts, and representatives from local governments to a meeting at the end of March to collect international experience and local practical opinions. Internationally, if outdoor smoking rooms are set up, most adopt a "non-enclosed" design, with the principle of being away from building entrances, main public passages, and crowded areas.

The NHA stated that the setup of outdoor smoking rooms should maintain an appropriate height and good ventilation, while avoiding direct smoke dispersion and not spreading towards areas with more pedestrian traffic. Integrating international experience and expert recommendations, the setup of outdoor smoking rooms, in addition to location selection, should also consider subsequent maintenance and management costs to ensure the feasibility of the measures.

The NHA further explained that protecting public health and gradually promoting a smoke-free environment are the core principles of tobacco hazard prevention policies. It respects local governments' plans for no-smoking measures and smoking spaces based on urban development characteristics and public demand. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150408