Smoker rights groups yesterday protested outside the legislature in Taipei against a proposal to ban e-cigarettes.

Holding signs that read: “Consumers have rights, too,” “Give me the freedom to choose” and “Do not force me to smoke cigarettes,” protesters said the government should not impose a blanket prohibition against e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

The government must respect the rights of smokers, they said, adding that it should offer people choices, instead of instituting an outright ban.