25 June 2026
By Taiwan News
Draft law imposes up to 7 years in prison for e-cigarette manufacturing, importation
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Cabinet approved draft amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act on Thursday that would criminalize the manufacture and importation of e-cigarettes while imposing heavy fines for possession.
The proposed amendments would make possession of e-cigarettes punishable by fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$100,000 (US$948 to US$3,160) and confiscation of devices, per Liberty Times. The Cabinet said the changes are aimed in part at curbing the use of etomidate-laced “zombie vape” cartridges, which have become a growing public safety concern.
Under the proposed changes, the manufacture, importation, sale, supply, or display of e-cigarettes would become criminal offenses punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines of up to NT$5 million, Liberty Times reported. Attempted offenses and corporate liability provisions would also be added.
The amendments would extend tobacco-style regulations to designated e-cigarette components, requiring health warnings and restricting sales and display locations. Such products could only be sold at licensed tobacco retail outlets.
Administrative penalties would also be raised for unauthorized designated tobacco products that have not passed government health-risk assessments. Fines for using e-cigarettes would be raised to the same range applied to possession.
Authorities would provide a one-month grace period after the law takes effect, allowing individuals time to dispose of prohibited products, according to Liberty Times. Devices discovered during that period would still be confiscated, but fines would not be imposed.
Travelers carrying up to five e-cigarette products with a total net weight under 500 grams into Taiwan could face fines of NT$200,000 to NT$1 million. Repeat offenders within one year would face criminal penalties, including up to one year in prison, detention, or fines of up to NT$1 million.