Several anti-tobacco groups are calling on Taiwan’s vice presidential candidates to address tobacco control if elected. Though it’s been 30 years since Taiwan worked to prevent the hazards of tobacco, the country is below the standard acceptable to the WHO.
The groups, including the John Tung Foundation, on Tuesday urged the three vice presidential candidates to take two steps. The foundation’s Chen Ying-chun said tobacco control in Taiwan should keep pace with the international community.
“We are calling on the three distinguished vice presidential candidates. As one is a lawyer, one is a chairwoman of a political party, and the other is a leading expert in public health, they should know that more progress in Taiwan is needed for prevention of the hazards of tobacco," said Chen. "We ask them to pledge two things after the election. One is to impose a ban on foreign tobacco companies to set up plants in Taiwan. The second is to push for a sweeping revision to a [law] so that it is in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.”
To safeguard public health, the foundation called for a revision to laws concerning tobacco hazard prevention, tobacco and cigarette controls and taxes.