Taipei: Health Minister Shih Chung-liang announced that displaying legal heated tobacco devices is permitted in licensed retail outlets, aiming to help consumers differentiate them from illegal devices.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Shih's statement comes after Shen Ching-fen, head of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA), previously informed reporters on September 17 that the display of all heated tobacco and their devices was prohibited. However, the HPA clarified on Thursday that image displays are allowed in licensed retail outlets, provided they only inform consumers about the brands and prices of the products.

Shih emphasized that all four permitted heated tobacco devices, including carrying and heating devices, have undergone thorough reviews before market release to ensure safety and to prevent designs that might attract teenagers to these products. He noted that the Ministry of Health and Welfare will advise businesses against emphasizing these products in their displays.

Furthermore, Shih mentioned that the ministry would consider amending the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act to include warning messages on the packaging of heating devices and to specify the size of these warnings. Amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, effective since March 2023, require new tobacco products, such as heated tobacco, to undergo health risk reviews before manufacturing, importing, or selling in Taiwan.

In July 2025, the first batch of heated tobacco products approved for legal sale, including 14 products and four component devices from two companies, is set to be available from October 11 and October 19.