UK Bans Smoking for Life for Those Born After 2009; Shih Chung-liang: Studying Whether to Introduce to Taiwan
Following the UK's passage of a generational smoking ban, Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang indicated a willingness to consider introducing a similar policy in Taiwan.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 10:54
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 11:01 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 12:04 (1h 2m after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA)
(CNA, Taipei, 23rd, Reporter Chen Chieh-ling) The UK passed a generational smoking ban, prohibiting anyone born after 2009 from buying cigarettes for life. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated that through measures such as non-smoking areas, the adult smoking rate has dropped significantly. Whether to introduce the generational smoking ban still requires social consensus, and the Health Promotion Administration will conduct further study.
According to foreign media reports, the UK Parliament passed the major "generational smoking ban" bill on the 21st local time. According to the new law, anyone born after January 1, 2009, will be permanently banned from purchasing tobacco products in the future. After King Charles III completes the approval process, the bill can officially take effect.
Shih Chung-liang attended the plenary committee meeting of the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee of the Legislative Yuan this morning to give a special report and take questions on the "Review of Cross-System Collaboration and Connection Mechanisms for Vulnerable Family Child and Youth Support Services and Child and Youth Protection Case Treatment." He accepted a joint media interview before the meeting and was asked whether Taiwan might follow suit now that the UK has passed a generational smoking ban.
Shih Chung-liang said that tobacco has been recognized as a carcinogen, and even smoking a very small amount still carries a cancer risk. In recent years, a few countries have indeed adopted generational smoking ban policies. In addition to the UK, New Zealand also banned smoking for people born in a certain decade.
Shih Chung-liang believes that Taiwan has performed quite well in tobacco hazard prevention in the past. The adult smoking rate has dropped significantly, and various control measures such as smoke-free places have been formulated with remarkable results. As for whether to introduce the concept of a generational smoking ban, social discussion and consensus-building are needed, and it will be handed over to the Health Promotion Administration for further study. (Editor: Lee Hsi-chang) 1150423
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(CNA, Taipei, 23rd, Reporter Chen Chieh-ling) The UK passed a generational smoking ban, prohibiting anyone born after 2009 from buying cigarettes for life. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated that through measures such as non-smoking areas, the adult smoking rate has dropped significantly. Whether to introduce the generational smoking ban still requires social consensus, and the Health Promotion Administration will conduct further study.
According to foreign media reports, the UK Parliament passed the major "generational smoking ban" bill on the 21st local time. According to the new law, anyone born after January 1, 2009, will be permanently banned from purchasing tobacco products in the future. After King Charles III completes the approval process, the bill can officially take effect.
Shih Chung-liang attended the plenary committee meeting of the Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee of the Legislative Yuan this morning to give a special report and take questions on the "Review of Cross-System Collaboration and Connection Mechanisms for Vulnerable Family Child and Youth Support Services and Child and Youth Protection Case Treatment." He accepted a joint media interview before the meeting and was asked whether Taiwan might follow suit now that the UK has passed a generational smoking ban.
Shih Chung-liang said that tobacco has been recognized as a carcinogen, and even smoking a very small amount still carries a cancer risk. In recent years, a few countries have indeed adopted generational smoking ban policies. In addition to the UK, New Zealand also banned smoking for people born in a certain decade.
Shih Chung-liang believes that Taiwan has performed quite well in tobacco hazard prevention in the past. The adult smoking rate has dropped significantly, and various control measures such as smoke-free places have been formulated with remarkable results. As for whether to introduce the concept of a generational smoking ban, social discussion and consensus-building are needed, and it will be handed over to the Health Promotion Administration for further study. (Editor: Lee Hsi-chang) 1150423
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.