‘WAIT AND SEE’:  A union head said it was surprising to hear of a hostel owner making a complaint and time would tell whether the sanction would have an effect

Taipei Times
Date: Sep 30, 2019
By: Jake Chung  /  Staff writer, with CNA

Taitung County on Friday became the first local administration in Taiwan to fine people for smoking indoors at a hostel or hotel.

The Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act (菸害防制法) prohibits smoking indoors at hotels, malls, department stores, restaurants and eateries and all business locations with public areas unless there are designated smoking areas.

A hostel owner surnamed Lin (林) on Friday said that many people visit Taitung County and hostel owners are always fretting over guests who do not abide by the no-smoking rules.

A man surnamed Lee (李), the hostel owner who reported the incident that resulted in the county government handing out the fine, said that over the summer he had made two separate complaints, but only the second drew a sanction.    [FULL  STORY]