About

13.1% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 2.7 million current smokers in Taiwan

23.1% of men are current smokers but only 2.9% of women

Quick links to detailed datasheets for Taiwan
Cigarettes E-cigarettes Snus Pouches HTP NRT
Country profile
Data sourced: 2023.   Page updated: 2023-05-17

Smoking in Taiwan

Adult tobacco smoking prevalence is at 13.1% (with 2.9% of women and 23.1% of men).

1.4 million €

Market size of NRT.

Estimated NRT market size is 1.4 million €.

Heated Tobacco Products

in Taiwan

No information.

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Taiwan

The legal situation in Taiwan is confusing and e-cigarettes currently exist via a legal loophole. Officially, retailers need a license under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act to sell e-cigarettes and none have been approved. Taiwan has a Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (1997), but this apparently cannot regulate e-cigarettes as they contain no tobacco. In 2017 it was reported that the executive branch of the Taiwanese government, the Executive Yuan, was considering an amendment to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act which would result in a total ban on the sale of all vaping products, whether they contain nicotine or not. The new law would codify the ban and result in harsh punishments for violations. The penalty for manufacturing or importing e-cigarettes would range from NT$50,000 to NT$250,000 ($1650-8250 in U.S. dollars). Sales and use of e-cigarette products in non-smoking areas would be punished by a fine ranging from NT$10,000 to NT$50,000 ($330-1650 US$).

Snus

in Taiwan

Snus is allowed. Use of Snus is permitted by law in Taiwan.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Taiwan

Estimated NRT market size is 1.4 million €.

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.