Market & legal data in the tobacco alternatives sector in Taiwan

7th March 2025: Taiwan: Taiwan’s first heated tobacco product (HTP) review will be published next month, media reports. Although HTPs have technically been legalised for two years, they are subjected to a 12-month review process by the National Health and Family Planning Commission before being allowed on the market. So far no HTP has completed the review process, but as the April 2025 review deadline is approaching, the director of the commission, Wu Zhaojun, has confirmed that the review will be published on time.
4th March 2025: Taiwan: The Ministry of Health and Welfare has released a new draft amendment to the Tobacco Control Act. The amendment aims to strengthen enforcement of the existing ban on electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs). In particular, it introduces new requirements for internet operators to remove content related to illegal products. Overseas operators would be required to notify and cooperate with Taiwanese authorities. The draft amendment also includes provisions that would allow for the seizure and destruction of any electronic cigarettes or HTPs found.
3rd March 2025: Taiwan: A Customs Administration official has said that Taiwan will soon expand its use of generative AI at customs clearance points, with the aim of curbing the illicit import of certain products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The project will run from 2025 to 2028, with an expected cost of TWD275.77m ($8.3m). Media reports that e-cigarettes will be the focus of 2026.
3rd December 2024: Taiwan: The application and review status for the health risk assessment of heated tobacco products (HTPs) published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) shows that no HTPs have been approved so far. The MHW’s director-general Wu Chao-chun stated that while health risk assessments are progressing as planned and results were initially expected by the end of the year, applicants are still submitting supplementary documents – with the shortest remaining processing time just over a month. Once all documents are submitted, the MHW will complete discussions within the given timeframe and announce the review outcomes, which may result in either approval or rejection, press reports.
22nd November 2024: Taiwan: The application and review status for the health risk assessment of heated tobacco products (HTPs) published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare shows that no HTPs have been approved so far. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Ying criticised the government for delaying the approval of HTPs for legal sale, despite their legalisation under the amended Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. She highlighted that the delay in health risk assessments by the ministry has encouraged smuggling and caused tax revenue losses. Chen also referenced a recent online survey showing that 98.7% of respondents support taxing HTPs as a way to fund healthcare, urging the government to prioritise HTP approvals and immediately implement HTPs taxes, press reports.
7th November 2024: Taiwan: Today, Taiwan’s Education and Culture Committee of the Legislative Yuan invited officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and other units to report on the “Review on the Prevention of E-cigarettes from Invading Schools and Harming Young People”, press reports. Authorities focused on the rising rate of under-age use of e-cigs and heated tobacco products (HTPs), with Legislator Ko Chih-en citing a MOHW survey that revealed that 16,000 teenagers used HTPs. The discussion also highlighted the need for immediate coordination with social media platforms to remove e-cigarette ads and for the progress of enforcement efforts.
24th October 2024: Taiwan: As of 30th September 2024, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported over 500,000 inspections of physical and online sales of e-cigarettes and designated tobacco products – such as heated tobacco products (HTPs) – resulting in 1,274 penalties amounting to TWD74,382,667 ($2,316,077). Wang Yumin, legislator from the Kuomintang party, criticised the low penalty rate of about 0.002% from 232,612 inspections conducted from January to September 2024. The ministry’s deputy director, Jia Shuli, said that some cases required administrative procedures for offenders, press reports. No HTPs have been authorised for sale so far.
24th October 2024: Taiwan: Regarding the health risk assessments for heated tobacco products (HTPs), legislator Chen Ying questioned health minister Qiu Taiyuan on whether the review would be concluded by the end of this month. Qiu did not provide a direct answer but mentioned ongoing meetings to address the issue. The Ministry of Health and Welfare previously stated that the review could not be completed due to applicants failing to submit required documents. Chen criticised the ministry for holding 37 review meetings without resolving the technical issues and demanded transparency regarding meeting contents. The ministry’s deputy director, Jia Shuli, said that complete disclosure was not possible until the review was finished. Chen also questioned why the ministry continues to delay, allowing illegal use to flourish and threatening tax revenues and public safety, urging Qiu to clear any obstacles and speed up the review process, press reports.
16th October 2024: Taiwan: Regarding the health risk assessments for heated tobacco products, Chen Shih-chung, minister without portfolio, said that the review deadline for the first batch of applicants is imminent, with a key decision from the Ministry of Health and Welfare expected by the end of the year. If there are no assessment review results disclosed, Chen suggested involving neutral third parties, such as Academia Sinica and the National Health Research Institutes, to consider how to make the review process clearer. Half of the 12 companies that applied for assessments are undergoing substantive review, but no products have been approved yet, press reports.
9th October 2024: Taiwan: The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s draft law on “Prohibited Additives in Tobacco Products” finished its public notice period yesterday, 8th October, gathering over 12,000 comments. Lo Su-ying, head of the Tobacco Control Division Team at the ministry, said the public comments include calls for a full ban on flavoured tobacco, concerns about additives, bans on specific types, limits on use, a transitional period, and post-market inspections. The draft includes a ban on 27 additives, such as vanillin and maltol. Expert meetings with toxicology and legal specialists will be held soon to discuss potential adjustments to the draft law, press reports. It would apply to tobacco products, including heated tobacco products – although none have yet been approved in Taiwan – if in the future they are granted permission for import and production.
12th September 2024: Taiwan: No heated tobacco products (HTPs) in Taiwan have yet passed the health risk assessment required by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which is necessary before they can be sold, press reports. Although the ministry had initially estimated that the results would be available by October, delays have occurred as companies continue to submit additional documents. The release of the results may be further delayed, depending on how quickly the companies provide the required information. Lo Su-ying, head of the Tobacco Control Division Team at the ministry, noted that 12 companies have applied for the assessment, with 6 currently in the review stage. However, all are still providing supplementary information, such as epidemiological monitoring data on people under 20 and susceptible groups.
12th August 2024: Taiwan: On 8th August, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a draft law titled “Prohibited Additives in Tobacco Products”, which updates the previous ban on four flavours (which has not yet been implemented) established in the 2023 Amendment to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. The new draft law expands this prohibition to include 27 types of additives. It will apply to tobacco products, including heated tobacco products – although none have yet been approved in Taiwan – if they are granted permission for import and production.

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