Taipei: Health Minister Shih Chung-liang announced that the Japanese anime series "Chainsmoker Cat" contains scenes violating Taiwan's tobacco control rules. The series features close-ups of cigarette brands and smoking scenes devoid of health warnings, contrary to Taiwanese law.
According to Focus Taiwan, Shih watched the anime and noted the prominent display of cigarette brands in several scenes. To comply with local regulations, such depictions should be blurred or obscured, and smoking scenes should display a health warning. The comments followed a report from the John Tung Foundation, a tobacco control advocacy group, which alerted authorities to repeated displays of identifiable cigarette brands and packaging. As a result, several local streaming platforms removed the series.
The anime's removal has sparked backlash within Taiwan's anime community. Some fans argue that the portrayal of nicotine addiction serves as an anti-smoking message and claim that its removal infringes on creative freedom. However, Shih emphasized that the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act prohibits the promotion and advertising of tobacco through media, including films, television, radio, and online platforms. Guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Communications Commission restrict smoking scenes in creative works.
The guidelines advise against frequent close-ups of characters smoking, content targeting children, airing during children's viewing hours, and depicting main characters as smokers. Shih confirmed that the series does not comply with these regulations and noted that the rules apply to foreign productions distributed in Taiwan.
When questioned about the anime's potential anti-smoking message, Shih stated that an expert assessment is required to determine if the content could encourage or discourage smoking. The John Tung Foundation insists that the anime should not bypass tobacco advertising restrictions simply because it is entertainment.
The Health Ministry has referred the case to local health authorities for investigation. Should violations be confirmed, those responsible for distributing the series in Taiwan may face fines of up to NT$1 million (US$31,700). "Chainsmoker Cat," originally titled "Yani Neko" in Japanese, is based on a manga by NyanNyanFactory serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine since February 2023. An anime adaptation by Bibury Animation Studios began airing in July 2026.