Taiwan’s “Tobacco Hazards Prevention and Control Act” (THPCA) is one of the strictest anti-tobacco legislations in the world. It prohibits any form of tobacco product advertising and promotion. Manufacturers or importers in violation of any related restriction are penalized with fines ranging from NT$5-25 million (approx. $160,000 to 800,000) and can be fined for each and every subsequent violation.
Although owned and operated by the state, TTL enjoys no preferential treatment in this respect and must comply with all THPCA regulations just as much as its competitors.
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Regarding tobacco sales, marketing, promotion and advertising, THPCA prohibits the following:
• Advertising through radio, television, film, video, electronic signals, internet, newspapers, magazines, billboards, posters, leaflets, notifications, announcements, reference manuals, samples, postings, displays, or through any other written, illustrated, physical or digital recording form.
• Using journalist interviews or reports to introduce tobacco products, or using other people’s identity without proper authorization to conduct promotions.
• Using discounts to sell tobacco products, or using other items as gifts or prizes for such sales.
• Using tobacco products as gifts or prizes for the sale of other products or for the promotion of other events.
• Packaging tobacco products together with other products for sale.
• Distributing or selling tobacco products as individual sticks, in loose packs or sheathed.
• Using merchandise with brand names or trademarks identical or similar to tobacco products in conducting promotions or advertising.
• Using tea parties, meal parties, conferences, testing events, concerts, lectures, sports or public interest events, or other similar methods to conduct [tobacco product] promotions or advertising.
• Any other methods prohibited by competent authority at the central government level through public notice.