Ministry of Health and Welfare to Amend Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act to Curb Drug-Impaired Driving; E-cigarette Possession to Result in Confiscation
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to amend the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act to address the rise in drug-impaired driving involving etomidate and e-cigarettes. The amendment will allow for the immediate confiscation of e-cigarette devices and strengthen enforcement against online sales.
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- 📰 Published: May 28, 2026 at 15:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 31, 2026 at 23:51 (80h 41m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 00:46 (24h 55m after Collected)
(CNA, Taipei, May 28) With recent frequent reports of drug-impaired driving, the use of etomidate and e-cigarette devices has come under scrutiny. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated today that the ministry will expedite amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which will include the direct confiscation of e-cigarette devices and intensified enforcement against online sales platforms.
The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee reviewed the "Dementia Basic Law Draft" proposed by 19 legislators, including those from the KMT, TPP, and DPP's Lin Yue-chin, with Minister Shih invited to respond to inquiries.
KMT legislator Chiu Chen-chun pointed out that between January and February of this year, 3,768 urine samples tested positive for etomidate, following over 20,000 cases last year, indicating that etomidate has become a mainstream drug. Since etomidate is primarily consumed via e-cigarette devices, he argued that the focus should be on the devices to deter usage.
Minister Shih acknowledged a loophole in the 2023 amendment of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. While e-cigarettes and similar products are prohibited and subject to fines of up to NT$5 million, there were no specific provisions regarding "possession." He promised to submit an amendment to the Legislative Yuan as soon as possible to allow for the confiscation of e-cigarettes upon possession.
KMT legislator Chen Ching-hui noted that from 2023 to 2025, the number of drug-impaired driving cases rose from 335 to 8,659. In May alone, 335 cases were detected in just five days, with fatal accidents occurring for four consecutive days, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Chen cited National Police Agency data showing a 31.4% increase in drug cases in 2025 compared to the same period last year, with a 122.64% increase in suspects aged 12-17 involved in Category 2 drugs, and a 47% increase among those aged 18-23. She criticized the Ministry of Health and Welfare's previous statistics, which claimed a decline in youth e-cigarette use, as inconsistent with police data and public perception.
Regarding the increase in etomidate use, Shih attributed it partly to inspection frequency and methods. He noted that since etomidate metabolizes faster than traditional drugs, the ministry will discuss potential changes to testing standards with the Ministry of Justice and experts.
Chen further pointed out that the Health Promotion Administration's e-cigarette enforcement dashboard had not been updated since late 2024. She also criticized the lack of enforcement against online platforms, where vendors openly sell e-cigarettes. Shih responded that the dashboard would be updated today and promised to resume monthly updates, while reinforcing enforcement against online sales.
The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee reviewed the "Dementia Basic Law Draft" proposed by 19 legislators, including those from the KMT, TPP, and DPP's Lin Yue-chin, with Minister Shih invited to respond to inquiries.
KMT legislator Chiu Chen-chun pointed out that between January and February of this year, 3,768 urine samples tested positive for etomidate, following over 20,000 cases last year, indicating that etomidate has become a mainstream drug. Since etomidate is primarily consumed via e-cigarette devices, he argued that the focus should be on the devices to deter usage.
Minister Shih acknowledged a loophole in the 2023 amendment of the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. While e-cigarettes and similar products are prohibited and subject to fines of up to NT$5 million, there were no specific provisions regarding "possession." He promised to submit an amendment to the Legislative Yuan as soon as possible to allow for the confiscation of e-cigarettes upon possession.
KMT legislator Chen Ching-hui noted that from 2023 to 2025, the number of drug-impaired driving cases rose from 335 to 8,659. In May alone, 335 cases were detected in just five days, with fatal accidents occurring for four consecutive days, highlighting the severity of the issue.
Chen cited National Police Agency data showing a 31.4% increase in drug cases in 2025 compared to the same period last year, with a 122.64% increase in suspects aged 12-17 involved in Category 2 drugs, and a 47% increase among those aged 18-23. She criticized the Ministry of Health and Welfare's previous statistics, which claimed a decline in youth e-cigarette use, as inconsistent with police data and public perception.
Regarding the increase in etomidate use, Shih attributed it partly to inspection frequency and methods. He noted that since etomidate metabolizes faster than traditional drugs, the ministry will discuss potential changes to testing standards with the Ministry of Justice and experts.
Chen further pointed out that the Health Promotion Administration's e-cigarette enforcement dashboard had not been updated since late 2024. She also criticized the lack of enforcement against online platforms, where vendors openly sell e-cigarettes. Shih responded that the dashboard would be updated today and promised to resume monthly updates, while reinforcing enforcement against online sales.
FAQ
Are e-cigarettes legal in Taiwan?
No, under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, the manufacture, import, sale, advertising, possession, and use of e-cigarettes are strictly prohibited in Taiwan.