Graphic images alluding to the health risks of smoking will soon have to cover 50 per cent of the pack in Taiwan instead of the current 35 per cent, reports Focus Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration (HPA) has announced that from 22 March, graphic warning images on cigarette packs showing stained teeth and charred lungs will have to cover 50 per cent of the pack up from the current 35 per cent.
This is part of Taiwan’s Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which will see those selling improperly labelled cigarette packs fined up to TWD 50,000 (USD 1,569) and cigarettes manufacturers who violate the new rules fined up to TWD 5 million (USD156,900).
The World Health Organization recommends graphic health warnings covering at least 30 per cent of cigarette packs, however, 122 countries and territories require health warnings to cover at least 50 per cent, reports Focus Taiwan.
HPA officials have been touring around the country to make shop owners aware of the new rules and the head of the HPA’s Tobacco Control Division Lo Su-ying has urged members of the public to report any violations of the labelling rules to their local health department or by calling the HPA’s toll-free tobacco control hotline, according to Focus Taiwan.