TAIPEI: Most Taiwanese approve of plans to ban smoking while walking, a survey showed yesterday, indicating that a proposed law to curb tobacco use on the move will enjoy broad public support.

Nearly 58 percent of the island's residents oppose smoking while travelling on foot, and more than 84 percent are against smoking while driving, according to a survey of over 1,000 people conducted by Taiwan Institute of Economic Research.

The poll comes as the Environmental Protection Administration is drafting a bill that will make it illegal to smoke while walking, riding a motorbike or driving a car.

Violators will face a fine of NT$6,000 ($188) if the law is approved by the Legislative Yuan, the agency said.

Taiwan has been part of a worldwide trend to tighten anti-smoking rules in recent years. The island banned smoking in all indoor public places in early 2009.

It has also outlawed all cigarette advertising and imposed a "health tax" on cigarettes, a move the health department credits with helping to cut smoking by 10 percent.

Lung cancer has long been a leading cause of death in Taiwan, which has about five million smokers out of a total population of 23 million, according to government figures.

China Daily/AFP

(HK Edition 01/14/2010 page2)