Page 40 - 2023 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

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6. Implemented the "Home Care Program for Low (4) Achievements in Preventing Tobacco Harm
(including Extremely Low) Birth Weight Infants." Among Adolescents
In 2022, this program was conducted in 65 Continued collaboration with the Ministry of
hospitals nationwide, with a total enrollment of Education to promote tobacco harm prevention
1,118 individuals (enrollment rate of 98.2%, 1,139 efforts on campuses. Enhancing awareness
individuals met the discharge criteria). Additionally, a
among adolescents regarding anti-smoking and
total of 359 home visits, 910 video visits, and 4,872
media literacy through the integration of media
phone calls were provided.
channels and interdepartmental cooperation.
7. Organized training courses for healthcare personnel
in adolescent health, with a total of 264 participants Chapter 2 Unhealthy Habits
Developed digital courses on adolescent- In 2018, the WHO listed unhealthy behaviors
friendly healthcare knowledge and skills, with 823
(such as smoking and betel nut chewing), the harmful
individuals completing the learning in 2022.
use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity,
8. Achievements in tobacco hazards prevention and air pollution as the leading risk factors for
among adolescents. noncommunicable diseases. To ensure a healthy
(1) Collaborated with the Department of Health, population and reduce everyday hazards, the MOHW
conducting inspections of tobacco sales by has committed itself to promoting healthy lifestyles in
businesses. In 2022, over 250,000 inspections different settings, preventing and controlling tobacco
were conducted, resulting in 119 cases of selling hazards, advising against betel nut chewing, publicizing
tobacco to minors under the age of 18, with the hazards of alcohol, and fighting air pollution.
fines totaling over NTD 1.09 million. Additionally,
Section 1 Tobaccos and Betel Quid
for underage smokers, there were 270,000
1. Tobacco Control
inspections and 1,431 cases of disciplinary
action, along with 1,273 smoking cessation (1) Advocating for the Amendment of Tobacco
educations completed. Hazards Prevention Act and Creating a Tobacco-
Free Environment
(2) In 2022, the decoy test revealed that 32.0% of
tobacco retailers violated regulations by selling Since the implementation of the amended Tobacco
tobacco to minors under the age of 18. Among Hazards Prevention Act in 2009, in line with
them, convenience stores, betel nut stalls, and international standards and the implementation of
traditional mom and pop stores had violation the "Framework Convention on Tobacco Control"
rates of 18.8%, 42.4%, and 40.3%, respectively. and the "MPOWER" strategy, the smoking rates
Local governments have been requested to among adults, junior high school students, and
enhance guidance and inspections. senior high school and vocational students have
(3) Continuously strengthened the promotion of been decreasing year by year. The rates have
tobacco and e-cigarette harm prevention, decreased from 21.9% in 2008 to 14.0% in 2022
promoting the use of the dedicated section for adults, from 7.8% in 2008 to 2.2% in 2021 for
"Winning Social Connections and Health: Expert junior high school students, and from 14.8% in
Reminders on Avoiding E-cigarettes" on Yahoo 2007 to 7.2% in 2021 for senior high school and
Kimo. Animated videos, featuring "Building vocational students. Furthermore, the exposure
Positive Social Relationships on Campus" and rate to secondhand smoke in public non-smoking
"Legislation on E-cigarettes," as well as three areas has decreased from 23.7% in 2008 to 4.0%
types of cards and a quick reference guide, have in 2022.
been created for schools at all levels to promote. However, the usage rates of E-cigarettes among
Integration with online platforms and four major junior high school and senior high school and
outdoor channels was employed to reach a vocational students have notably increased from
wider audience of adolescents and young adults. 1.9% and 3.4% in 2018 to 3.9% and 8.8% in

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