The Ministry of Justice , together with the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the John Tung Foundation, held a press conference today ( August 8 ) for the " 2026 Quit Smoking and Win the Competition". By adding a smoking cessation reward mechanism for detainees, the new regulations encourage smokers to use the smoking cessation services provided by medical institutions under smoking cessation service contracts, jointly promoting smoking cessation among detainees and creating a smoke-free environment.

    Deputy Chief of Staff Huang Mou-hsin stated at the meeting that this year (2016) , by expanding the scope of incentive recipients to include medical personnel, the aim is to encourage medical personnel to be more proactive in assisting smokers to quit, thereby increasing the motivation and willingness of inmates in correctional facilities to quit smoking. Promoting tobacco control within correctional facilities is a long and arduous process, requiring the integration of professional groups and social resources to provide inmates with diverse smoking cessation assistance and increase the success rate of quitting. Making the decision to quit smoking the first step in transformation allows family members to feel their determination for positive change.

    Director Lin Hsien-ming of the Correctional Agency pointed out that during the period of inmates' service in correctional institutions, there are relevant treatment and reward measures for inmates who quit smoking, and smoke-free workshops and dormitories are set up. In addition, smoking cessation promotion, lectures and smoking cessation clinics are held, which has gradually reduced the smoking rate of inmates after their release. This event is of great significance to promoting the health of inmates.

    Deputy Minister Chuang Jen-hsiang of the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that this collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, through the professional assistance and incentive mechanisms of medical personnel, will provide detainees with more substantial medical consultations and smoking cessation treatments, making smoking cessation no longer just a challenge of personal willpower.

    Deputy Director-General Wei Hsi-lun of the Health Promotion Administration and Chairman Chang Po-ya of the John Tung Foundation both expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Justice for its care for the health of detainees and for its proactive implementation of tobacco control measures in correctional institutions. They encouraged detainees to stay away from tobacco products and enthusiastically signed up for the " 2026 Quit Smoking and Win the Competition," which not only allows them to quit smoking but also gives them the chance to win prize money—a win-win situation.

    Finally, volunteer Li Wei shared that he felt significantly healthier after quitting smoking. Li Ziyan also demonstrated the "four tips for quitting smoking" she used to help her father quit. With the full support of the Ministry of Justice, the Correctional Agency, the Health Promotion Administration, and the John Tung Foundation, it is hoped that the smoking culture among inmates can be gradually changed. Inmates are encouraged to join the smoking cessation movement, and to bravely sign up to quit, bringing joy to their families, overcoming addiction, gaining health, and even winning prizes ! (John Tung Foundation - Chinese Smoking Cessation Website : https://www.quitwin.org.tw/)