Convenience stores are top violators of smoking rules

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The convenience stores that operate around the clock have turned out to have the most violations of selling cigarettes to underaged customers.
There were 233 registered cases as of Aug. 1 in Taipei City alone concerning the violation of the new and stricter tobacco hazard prevention regulations which took effect on Jan. 11, according to the statistics compiled by the Taipei Municipal Department of Health.
The figure resulted from stepped-up spot inspection of major retailing outlets like convenience stores, grocery stores and betel nut stands during the summer vacation.
Health officials found that the four leading chains of convenience stores — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life and OK — committed 112 violations of selling cigarettes to customers under 18, accounting for almost half of the total.
Betel nut stands and traditional grocery stores were caught with 58 and 51 violations respectively.
The officials said teenagers tended to more easily purchase tobacco products during summer vacation because they usually were not required to wear school uniforms.The failure of store staff to ask for ID from young-looking customers was another major factor, they said.Those violating the rules prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to people under the age of 18 are liable for a fine between NT$10,000 and NT$50,000.
Officials urged the leading chains of convenience stores to conduct adequate training for their staff to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
The violations in Taipei could reflect the same situation throughout Taiwan, which now has more than 9,000 convenience stores.