The John Tung Foundation has been applying to join the Framework Convention Alliance (FCA), which is approved by the WHO, since 2004. In 2005, the application was accepted, making the John Tung Foundation a member of an organization that consists of about 200 organizations from around the world. This marked the first time an organization from a non-WHO nation has become a member of the FCA.

　　The John Tung Foundation was founded by Mr. Tung Chi-ying and Dr. Yang Dao on May 19, 1984, making it the first anti-tobacco non-profit organization in Taiwan. The mission of the organization is to devote itself to the planning of tobacco control and prevention measures, education and guidance, and the promotion of anti-tobacco law legislation. Its anti-tobacco history is akin to the anti-tobacco history of Taiwan. Its contribution to tobacco control and prevention is immeasurable, and it is the pillar of tobacco control for our fellow citizens. The following is the developmental history of the John Tung Foundation in the past 20 years:

1984 to 1986 ∼ Building Foundation

◎ The emphasis of the early days was to collect information related to the tobacco, asking for submission of anti-tobacco material, making survey of the rate of smoking, and to invite domestic and foreign experts to participate. The foundation for the latter anti-tobacco movement was established then.

1987 to 1992 ∼ Social Activities

◎ On January 1, 1987, held a protest at the American Institute in Taiwan, asking our government not to back down from the pressure put on by the U.S., because after the importation of American tobacco products and promotion had taken place, the number of young people smoking would increase. However, the U.S. still used Section 301 to demand the loosening of regulations for its tobacco product advertisements.

◎ In 1991, it gathered 100,000 people to sign the petition called "protest the U.S. for exporting cancer and death".

◎ In 1992, it placed large notices in Washington Post, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal for 3 days that read, "Don't let our friendship go up in smoke. We welcome American products, but refuse American garbage". The western media couldn't help but take notice.

Since 1988 ∼ Forming International Anti-Tobacco Organization

◎ On June 12, 1989, the Asia Pacific Association for the Control of Tobacco (APACT) was formed in Taipei.

◎ In the same year, the APACT successfully helped Thailand maintain the regulation of complete ban of tobacco product advertisement.

◎ In 1992, successfully stopped the U.S. from using Section 301 to force Taiwan to open to even more tobacco product advertisement and promotion.

◎ In 1999, APACT celebrated its 10th anniversary. On May 31 the World No Tobacco Day, all the Asian Pacific anti-tobacco leaders gathered in Taipei to look at the past and look to the future. They also discussed:

Since 1989 ∼ Say No to Tobacco Campaign for Youth

◎ Starting in 1989, go into the school campus and corporations to promote turning away tobacco.

◎ In late 1990, singer Shue Yue, who was a cancer patient, urged the public to respect life. From then on, all the public service announcements could be shown on TV free of charge.

◎ In 1991, prominent government officials and singers promoted the "refuse amphetamine, say no to amphetamine" slogan and gesture, bringing anti-tobacco and anti-drug movements to campuses.

◎ In 1992, initiated the "anti-tobacco ID card", coupled with the slogan of "I am X years old, I don't smoke". Under the guidance of former president Lee, 2500 people were acting out the "Say No to Tobacco" public service announcement, which became a hot topic on campuses.

◎ In 1993, because the Camel cigarettes use cartoon character to promote the products, the cartoonist De-Yong Chu was hired to design "Anti-tobacco idol Zexu Lin" to battle the youth-oriented advertisements.

◎ In 1994, star singers LA Boys and "Anti-tobacco idol Zexu Lin" end the message of "I love it when you don't smoke" to the youth.

Since 1994 ∼ Refuse Tobacco in Keeping with WHO Theme

◎ In 1994, initiated the "Media No Tobacco Year". Joined forces with the domestic media to send the message of "May 31 is World No Tobacco Day" across.

◎ 1995 was the "Female No Tobacco Year". The pregnant women were urged not to smoke or be victimized by second-hand smoke in the first stage. The motivation for female smokers was discussed in the second stage. In the third stage, actress Chi-Lin Guan and "Anti-tobacco idol Lin Zexu" jointly announced "New health idea, refuse to breathe in second-hand smoke".

◎ 1996 was the "No Tobacco Sports and Culture Year". It made the "I exercise, I don't smoke" and "I create, I don't smoke" promotional materials. Several actors starred in the film named "Anti-tobacco Stars Conversations". This film became the first anti-tobacco teaching material for the youth after the Tobacco Control and Prevention Act went into effect in 1997.

◎ Followed the May 31 World No Tobacco Day event as proposed by the WHO, such as the smoking ban in hospitals in 1997, creating a smoke-free environments for our kids in 1998, and the promotion "Quitting smoking is good, there is no worry" in 1999.

1995 to 1997 ∼ Focus on Target, Plan on Tobacco Control

◎ In 1995, smoking was banned on the aircrafts. Starting on July 1, 1995, smoking was not allowed on any of Taiwan's airlines.

◎ In 1996, smoking was banned on all public buses. The complaint hotline (02) 2752-5013 was established.

◎ In 1996, it went overseas to help the American Chinese quit smoking.

◎ In 1997, held the "Ten Best Smoke-Free Places" contest. At the same time it collected smoking ban measures from various industries and application methods as a reference for future anti-tobacco laws.

◎ In 1997, 12 major chain supermarkets jointly signed the "Refusing to sell tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age" treaty. A total of 6425 stores displayed signs showing their intention of refusing to sell tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age.

Since June 1996 ∼ Push for the legislation of tobacco control and prevention and supervise the execution

◎ Riding the news that the American tobacco companies were planning on settling with various state governments in the amount of more than $30 billion; former president Clinton was planning on signing a bill classifying nicotine as an addictive drug; and if the smoking rate among the American youth didn't decrease, there'd be another round of compensation from the tobacco companies; it joined forces with several charity organization to persuade the legislators to promptly pass the Tobacco Control and Prevention Act.

◎ On March 4, 1997, the Tobacco Control and Prevention Act was finally passed. It was announced publicly on March 19, and it was put into force on September 19. Unfortunately, because the Department of Health was not well prepared, the execution of this law was difficult. Besides urging our government to strengthen the execution of this law, it also pushed for the Amendment to the Tobacco Control and Prevention Act in 1999.

Since 1998 ∼ Policy Planning and Case Studies

◎ Promoting the tobacco well-being donation. Statistics from other countries proved that using higher price to control quantity was an effective way to lower the smoking rate among young people. The price of cigarette in Taiwan is on the low side comparing to other countries. Starting in March of 1998, it joined forces with other charity organizations to push for a NT$10 tobacco well-being donation as part of the tobacco tariff, of which 10% would be used to form the tobacco control and prevention foundation and tobacco medical center in the future, which have the sole purpose of promoting the tobacco control and prevention in Taiwan. The other 90% would be used to help with the national insurance and other health and social welfare programs.

◎ In April 1998, the five family members of Pei-Ming Wu's family took a Northwest flight to the U.S. for a tour. They were exposed to cigarette smoke on the plane. They had requested the airline attendants for different seats but were refused. Mr. Wu's 1-year-old baby came down with bronchitis as a result. After they returned to Taiwan, Mr. And Mrs. Wu had tried to complained to Northwest Airlines but did not get any reply. They finally filed a lawsuit on July 28, 1998, requesting Northwest Airlines to publicly apologize, to revise its policy, and to compensate them for damages in the amount of about NT$10 million.

◎ On May 20, 1999, the Taiwan Tobacco and Alcohol Bureau was planning on introducing a new cigarette to target the youth market. This new product had fruity scent, and its filter had a small red heart printed on it. It was named "520 I Love You Light Cigarette" to speak to the youth. After gathering up the forces of various organizations and legislators, and after several protests, the Taiwan Tobacco and Alcohol Bureau finally decided to stop making and marketing this product.

Since 1999 ∼ New Age of Tobacco Control and Prevention Movements

◎ Plan the tobacco control and prevention policy in Taiwan.

◎ Plan international tobacco control and prevention activities.

◎ Helped Asian Pacific countries to handle tobacco-related litigations that involve tobacco companies of different nationalities.

Website Link:

http://www.jtf.org.tw/