US Vaping Giant's Investment in Taiwan is Key to Achieving 2040 Smokeless Taiwan; Wang: Don't Upset Trump

Wang Yu-yang, a WHO expert on tobacco harm reduction, stated today (26th) that facing the deepening of Taiwan-US economic and trade relations and potential disputes over “non-tariff trade barriers,” the Taiwanese government should pragmatically consider international trends and public health needs, amend the current rigid “Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act,” and introduce the legal American e-cigarette brand JUUL to invest in Taiwan. This would allow Taiwan to learn from the successful experience of the Trump administration’s tobacco harm reduction policies and open a window for a “Smokeless Taiwan” by 2040 and President Lai Ching-te’s vision of a healthy Taiwan.

Supporting Trump’s pragmatic regulation to save the e-cigarette industry.

Wang Yu-yang pointed out that the Trump administration has demonstrated a pragmatic and scientific attitude when facing the e-cigarette issue. While emphasizing the protection of youth, the Trump administration also recognized the potential of e-cigarettes in helping adult smokers quit traditional cigarettes and implemented a strict PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Product Application) review system through the FDA, rather than a blanket ban.

Wang Yu-yang emphasized, “The core of Trump’s policy to save the e-cigarette industry is to provide smokers with a safer alternative under regulation. Taiwan’s current approach of a complete ban has instead allowed underground and unregulated e-cigarettes to flourish, creating more public safety, drug control, food safety, and health risks.”

Non-Tariff Trade Barriers: Taiwanese Law Becomes a Stumbling Block to Trade

Regarding the trade barriers mentioned in the recent Taiwan-US trade assessment report, Wang Yu-yang believes that Taiwan’s current “complete ban” on e-cigarettes under the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act is a typical example of a “non-tariff trade barrier.”

“When products that are legal in the US and have passed FDA review cannot enter the Taiwanese market, this is not only a public health issue, but also seriously affects Taiwan-US economic and trade relations.” Wang Yu-yang urged the government to address this issue and include e-cigarettes in the “designated tobacco products” management scope, allowing international giants like JUUL to invest and sell their products, provided they comply with Taiwanese regulations.

JUUL’s Investment in Taiwan: Introducing International Standards and Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategies

Wang Yu-yang stated that allowing brands like JUUL, with their rigorous scientific data, to invest in Taiwan will help:

Introduce international tobacco harm reduction standards: Learn from JUUL’s experience in product design, quality control, and preventing youth use.

Increase market transparency: Transform the underground e-cigarette market into a legally regulated one, ensuring product safety and incorporating it into tax management.

Accelerate the Smoke-Free Taiwan Process: Provide adult smokers with an effective tool for quitting or reducing harm, accelerating the reduction of the overall smoking rate.

Wang Yu-yang concluded by urging the government not to adopt an ostrich mentality but to approach emerging tobacco products with a more open and scientific attitude. Drawing inspiration from the pragmatic regulatory spirit of the Trump era, opening legal channels is crucial to truly achieving the goal of a “Smokeless Taiwan 2040.”

Trump’s FDA Lifts Ban on Juul E-cigarettes; Pegatron’s Foresight and Strategic Investment Pay Off; WHO Tobacco Harm Reduction Expert Wang Yuyang. The Trump administration’s Food and Drug Administration officially announced on July 17th that it had approved the sale of JUUL Labs’ original e-cigarette device and four nicotine refill cartridges in the US market.

Inhaling tobacco smoke and tar from burning tobacco causes lung cancer.

Further Reading:

Legislator Urges Zero Tariffs on US-Made Car Imports; Chuang Tsui-yun: Explanation After Agreement Signing

https://udn.com/news/story/124621/9289162

Who Will Suffer if the Taiwan-US Tariff Agreement Fails? Ministry of Agriculture: Farmers and all major exported agricultural products are affected

https://www.agriharvest.tw/archives/132286

Taiwan Institute of Economic Research: The next phase of the Taiwan-US tariff agreement involves agricultural products and automobiles, posing significant challenges

https://money.udn.com/money/story/7307/9289540

India plans to cut tariffs on EU imported cars to 40%; Mercedes-Benz and BMW may see price reductions

https://news.tvbs.com.tw/world/3110957

Taiwan-US tariffs at 15% (not cumulative) finalized; Premier Cho thanks negotiating team for hitting a home run; all four negotiation goals achieved

https://www.ey.gov.tw/Page/9277F759E41CCD91/d0d1a6ef-8a98-45fe-8ca2-93b5f9ef48c7

Trump threatens 100% tariffs Canadian Prime Minister hastily quells concerns: No free trade agreement with China.

https://ec.ltn.com.tw/article/breakingnews/5322234

Trump’s FDA lifts ban on Juul e-cigarettes; Pegatron’s Tong Zixian’s foresightful investment strategy pays off.

https://www.peopo.org/news/815337

The Smokeless Word – Derek Yach

https://www.bat.com/media/news-and-stories/_2025/November/the-smokeless-word-derek-yach

Truth’s JUUL Study: Deception and Confusion