TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s health ministry announced a draft of the "Betel Nut Health Hazard Prevention Act," which prohibits consumption by minors and pregnant women and chewing betel nut in many public places.
Application of the regulations, however, will be loosened for Indigenous peoples, many of whom use betel nut in rituals or as part of traditional culture, which will not be subject to such restrictions, per CNA.
According to the health ministry, more than 8,000 people suffer from oral cancer every year, with betel nut a major contributor to the onset of oral cancer. Betel nut has been identified as a category 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The health ministry said pregnant women are particularly at risk of miscarriage when chewing betel nut during pregnancy, with rates of premature delivery and miscarriage increasing by two to three times. Furthermore, arecoline, an alkaloid found in betel nut, also affects fetal development, resulting in low birth weight.
Another regulation health authorities hope to implement is prohibiting betel nut use in minors. Those who are found to sell or provide betel nut to minors or pregnant women may be fined up to NT$250,000 (US$7,650).
The draft proposal also imposes restrictions on places where betel nut can be used, such as schools, childcare centers, medical institutions, long-term care health institutions, libraries, art galleries, public transportation, taxis, trains, stations, and other passenger waiting areas.
Those caught chewing betel nut in places where it is prohibited can be fined up to NT$10,000 and must receive education on quitting betel nut. Those who fail to receive quitting education without justifiable reasons can be fined up to NT$50,000.
For places where betel nut chewing is prohibited, related signage must be posted at the entrance. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to NT$50,000.
Chang Yung-min (張雍敏), head of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Department of Oral Health, spoke to media on Sunday where he said opinions and suggestions by the public are being solicited during a 60-day period following the submission of the draft proposal.
Chang said many places where betel nut will be prohibited are frequented by children, as such regulations will protect children from betel nut and gradually reduce consumption amongst future generations.
Furthermore, the draft hopes to eliminate the use of betel nut in movies. The draft regulation states that if betel nut chewing is necessary for the movie, an explicit warning needs to be added before and at the end of the film stating, "Betel nut is a category 1 carcinogen," or "Chewing betel nut is harmful to health."
Regarding sales, the draft stipulates that the warning pictures and texts on the containers must comply with health management standards. Also, sales cannot be conducted through automatic vending machines, online, or other methods where the age of the consumer cannot be identified.