Page 40 - 2024 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

2024 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

4. Provided guidance for the establishment of one have been requested to enhance guidance and
to five Child Development and Joint Evaluation inspections.
Centers in each county and city. In 2023, a total of (3) Strengthened the promotion of tobacco and
75 centers were established nationwide, offering e-cigarette harm prevention on Yahoo "Breathing
collaborative assessment services to approximately Clean Air, Avoiding E-cigarettes and Heated
28,000 individuals, with a positive diagnosis rate of Tobacco" themed section. Created animations on
95.7%. the "Harm of Heated Tobacco" and "Legislation on
5. Continuously promoted the "Preschool Children's E-cigarettes," along with two posters highlighting
Vision Screening Program" for children aged 4 and the harm of heated tobacco. Additionally,
5. In 2023, the screening rate reached 100%, with a produced two Line anti-smoking stickers and a
referral rate of 97.5% for abnormal cases. video prohibiting the sale and use of unapproved
6. Implemented the "Home Care Program for heated tobacco and its accessories. Collaborated
Low (including very Low) Birth Weight Infants." with 7 groups of internet celebrities to promote
In 2023, this program was conducted in 81 key legislative highlights, including comprehensive
hospitals nationwide, with a total enrollment of e-cigarette bans. This effort was combined with
2,857 individuals (including 2,091 very low birth diverse channels and outlets for broadcasting,
weight infants and 766 low birth weight infants). expanding outreach to adolescents and young
Additionally, a total of 985 home visits, 13,157 adults.
phone calls, and 2,449 video visits. (4) Achievements in Preventing Tobacco Harm
7. Organized training courses for healthcare personnel Among Adolescents
in adolescent health, with a total of 204 participants Continued collaboration with the Ministry of
Developed digital courses on adolescent- Education to promote tobacco harm prevention
friendly healthcare knowledge and skills, with 896 efforts on campuses. Enhancing awareness
individuals completing the learning in 2023. among adolescents regarding anti-smoking and
media literacy through the integration of media
8. Achievements in tobacco hazards prevention channels and interdepartmental cooperation.
among adolescents.

(1) Collaborated with the Department of Health Chapter 2 Unhealthy Habits
to conduct inspections of tobacco sales by In 2018, the WHO listed unhealthy behaviors
businesses. In 2023, more than 310,000 (such as smoking and betel nut chewing), the harmful
inspections were conducted, leading to 117 use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity,
instances of tobacco sales to individuals under and air pollution as the leading risk factors for
the age of 20 (previously under 18 before the noncommunicable diseases. To ensure a healthy
law change), resulting in fines totaling NTD population and reduce everyday hazards, the MOHW
1,075,000. Furthermore, for individuals under 20 has committed itself to promoting healthy lifestyles in
who were caught smoking (previously under 18 different settings, preventing and controlling tobacco
before the law change), there were over 370,000 hazards, advising against betel nut chewing, publicizing
inspections, 1,743 instances of disciplinary the hazards of alcohol, and fighting air pollution.
action, and 1,657 sessions of smoking cessation
education completed. Section 1 Tobaccos and Betel Quid
(2) The disguise test revealed that 29% of tobacco 1. Tobacco Control
retailers violated regulations by selling tobacco (1) Advocating for the Amendment of Tobacco
to minors under the age of 20. Among them, Hazards Prevention Act and Creating a Tobacco-
convenience stores, betel nut stalls, and general Free Environment
stores had violation rates of 22.8%, 43.2%, Since the implementation of the amended
and 32.6%, respectively. Local governments Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act in 2009,

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