TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced on Jan.12 that Taipei City aims to formally roll out a “smoke-free city” policy by the end of 2026, as part of broader efforts to reduce public exposure to tobacco smoke and improve shared urban spaces.
Chiang said the plan would build on existing smoking restrictions and draw inspiration from international models such as Tokyo, where smoking is largely confined to designated areas. Under the proposed framework, smoking would be prohibited in public spaces in principle, with clearly marked zones where smokers could light up without affecting others.
City officials said the approach, described as "prohibit in principle, allow in exception," aims to better separate smokers and non-smokers in crowded public areas, reducing secondhand smoke exposure and cigarette litter. A Taipei City Government poll showed that 85.6% of residents have encountered people smoking while walking, while 83.2% support banning walking-and-smoking and creating designated smoking areas.
The policy push comes alongside a high-profile test case. This year's Lunar New Year Market on Dihua Street in Datong District prohibited smoking along the bazaar and nearby alleys, marking one of the city's largest smoke-free public event zones in recent memory. Taipei's Department of Health said enforcement teams used signage, broadcasts, and patrols to inform visitors of the rules, with fines ranging from NT$2,000 (approximately US$64) to NT$10,000 (approximately US$320) for violations.
However, the implementation still faces challenges. Taipei's compact urban fabric makes it difficult to site enough designated smoking areas without displacing businesses or restricting pedestrian flow, and past smoke-free pushes, including in parks and residential complexes, have drawn complaints about enforcement gaps.
Cities such as Tokyo and Melbourne have implemented comprehensive outdoor smoking controls that combine restrictions with clearly designated zones. If Taipei’s plan succeeds, it could position the city as a regional example of how densely populated urban centers balance public health goals with everyday livability. (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.25)