Taipei City replaces grille-style smoking areas with new designs

The Taipei City Health Bureau has completed the removal of grille-style smoking areas following public controversy. Moving forward, the city will focus on implementing negative pressure and hedge-style smoking zones. The bureau plans to add four negative pressure smoking rooms by the end of this year and an additional 24 next year.

To support smoke-free city policies, the city is also testing AI-powered detection equipment. This technology, which involves a budget of approximately 4 million TWD, will use cameras to detect illegal smoking in outdoor non-smoking areas, such as Ximending and the Zhongshan District, and trigger automated voice warnings to deter violators.

Separately, public discussion has emerged regarding the design of smoking areas in Taipei. Observations noted that while Taipei Metro has been removing handrails and seats to optimize space during peak hours, certain smoking areas, such as the one at the Zhongshan District First Parking Lot, have seen the addition of handrails, leading to public debate over the necessity and placement of such fixtures.