Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an on Monday unveiled a smoke-free plan that will restrict public smoking and establish designated smoking zones across the city. The proposal marks the city’s most aggressive push yet to curb secondhand smoke and reduce cigarette litter in shared spaces. City officials confirmed that the smoke-free plan will likely roll out before the end of this year after regulatory and technical reviews. Chiang said the move aims to balance public health protection with limited accommodations for smokers in controlled locations.
Under the proposal, smoking will be banned by default in most outdoor public areas, while specific booths or zones will be created. The city plans to study Tokyo’s smoking booth system, which sharply reduced sidewalk smoking and cigarette waste. Officials said the Japanese model helped improve pedestrian safety while also lowering cleanup costs for municipal sanitation services.
Chiang said Taipei’s current approach, which designates only some non-smoking areas, has created enforcement gaps and confusion. Because smoking remains allowed elsewhere, cigarette butts often pile up near sidewalks, parks, and transit entrances. Residents have also complained about exposure to secondhand smoke in crowded streets and near building entrances.
Since taking office, Chiang has already expanded smoking bans around public housing projects and Lunar New Year market streets. The city has also enforced no-smoking perimeters around concert venues, sports arenas, and large public gatherings. Officials say these rules helped reduce complaints during high-traffic events, although enforcement remains uneven.
The smoke-free plan will also align with Taipei’s ordinance regulating heated tobacco and other emerging nicotine products. Under existing rules, shops cannot sell or advertise heated tobacco within fifty meters of elementary, junior high, or senior high schools. City officials say tighter geographic controls protect minors from exposure to tobacco marketing and peer pressure.
To support enforcement, Taipei plans to deploy artificial intelligence systems to detect smoking in restricted public zones. These systems will use cameras and pattern recognition to alert authorities when violations occur in monitored areas. City officials say technology will improve compliance while reducing the burden on frontline inspectors.
Public health experts say the citywide policy could significantly reduce hospital visits linked to secondhand smoke exposure. They note that respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular conditions rise sharply in densely populated urban environments with heavy smoking. Health officials also argue that cleaner streets will lower sanitation costs and improve tourism appeal.
Business groups have cautiously welcomed the proposal, although some retail associations worry about reduced foot traffic near smoking bans. However, tourism operators say cleaner, healthier streets will attract more international visitors and families. Restaurant owners also expect outdoor dining areas to benefit from fewer smoke complaints.
The city council will review regulatory details over the coming months before final implementation of the smoke-free plan. Officials say they will conduct public hearings and stakeholder consultations to refine the designated smoking zone locations. Chiang said the government will adjust policies if enforcement or public response reveals unexpected problems.
If approved, Taipei would join Tokyo and several European capitals in adopting stricter outdoor smoking controls. City leaders say the policy reflects growing public demand for healthier and more orderly shared spaces. For Chiang’s administration, the smoke-free plan also represents a high-profile effort to modernize urban governance.
