Smoking may soon be banned in the commercial areas around Taipei’s Xinyi and Ximending districts, the city’s Department of Health said Sunday.



As part of Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s initiative to curb smoking in public places and to promote the city’s smoke-free areas, health authorities revealed that it will set a trial period for an undisclosed amount of time.



However, the Health Promotion Division Director Lin Meng-hui said it is still seeking supports from surrounding shop owners, as they fear the ban would put off incoming tourists and young buyers who often frequent around the area.



During the trial period, a partial ban will be imposed daily from 6 p.m. to midnight, according to the local media.



Ko pointed out that from a doctor’s perspective, smoking will only damage one’s health, adding that doing it publicly will also endanger the health of others. “Not to mention fouling the environment with cigarette butts,” he said.



To date, the city government bans smoking in 362 public places, including parks, sidewalks, city hall, streets, train stations and bridges, and conducted 761 inspections at those places over the past year, collecting NT$70,000 in fines from 58 violations, Lin said.



If the trial works out smoothly, a complete ban will be imposed, where violators could get slapped with fines ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000, officials said.



According to the city government, anti-smoking volunteers and city inspectors will be dispatched to make random patrols around the districts’ shopping areas, particularly during after office hours.

