"Are Smokers Prisoners?"... Controversy Erupts Over 'Caged Smoking Area' in Downtown Taipei

Smoking Areas Enclosed with Fences to Protect Non-Smokers
Criticism Arises: "It Feels Like Smokers Are Being Locked in Prison"

A 'caged smoking area' has appeared in downtown Taipei. The facility was installed to encourage smokers to use separate spaces as the city expands no-smoking zones. However, locals have sparked controversy over its appearance, likening it to a "dog kennel."

According to media reports in Taiwan, the Taipei city government has been intensifying its "smoke-free city" policy since the beginning of this year. In particular, smoking has been restricted in busy commercial areas frequently visited by both tourists and residents, and people are only allowed to smoke in designated areas.

The controversy centers on an outdoor smoking area in the form of a metal cage, similar to what might appear in cartoons or movies. After photos of the newly installed smoking area in the WanHua District of Taipei were posted on social media platforms, reactions emerged claiming, "It looks like smokers are being locked up in a dog cage." Taiwanese political commentator Wu Kunyu also criticized Mayor Chiang Wan-an on social media, arguing that he is insulting smokers.

Caged smoking area appeared in downtown Taipei. Photo from social media (SNS) capture

However, not all smoking areas in Taipei are caged. Alongside expanding no-smoking zones, the city is also providing general designated smoking zones and special "negative pressure smoking rooms." Negative pressure facilities operate by lowering air pressure inside the room and ventilating to prevent smoke from spreading outside.

In May this year, five negative pressure smoking rooms were opened in Ximending, Xinzongshan Linear Park, and near Taipei Station. With additional installations after that, as of the end of May, there were six of these rooms in Taipei. The Taipei city government explained that the goal is to separate smokers from non-smokers to reduce the harm of secondhand smoke.

On the other hand, some complaints have been raised that there are too few smoking areas overall, and that their locations and operating hours are too limited, making them difficult to use. According to local media, the smoking room in Ximending is a three- to five-minute walk from the subway station, and some smokers pointed out the number and accessibility of smoking areas as issues. The Taipei city government maintains that restrictions on operating hours are necessary for maintenance and safety reasons.

Taipei's no-smoking policy has become stricter in recent months. Since June 1, smoking has been banned in all areas except designated smoking zones in the Ximending commercial district, with violators facing a fine of between 2,000 and 10,000 Taiwan dollars. From August, smoking outside of designated zones has also been banned in areas like Xinzongshan Linear Park and the Dihua Street commercial district.

According to data released by the Taipei city government, there are currently hundreds of smoking locations across the city, including general designated smoking zones and negative pressure smoking rooms. The city government provides information about these zones via maps and an app, encouraging smokers to use the designated locations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.