Taipei - Taiwan plans to increase the health duty imposed on cigarettes by 10 Taiwan dollars (30 US cents) beginning in March, the health minister said Wednesday.

"Parliament already approved the increase in the health duty from 10 to 20 Taiwan dollars last month, and implementation of the new measure will start im March," said Yeh Chin-chuan, director of the Department of Health.

The average price of cigarettes is to now rise to 65 Taiwan dollars per pack, Yeh said in a news conference in Taipei.

Taiwan's parliament raised the duty in a bid to discourage smoking on the island.

The increase was also expected to bring in an additional 18 billion Taiwan dollars in revenue for the government for spending on improving public health.

The decision came after Taiwan banned smoking in all indoor public places starting January 11, making the island the 17th territory in the world and the second in Asia to take the step to protect people's health.

According to the Department of Health, local authorities so far have issued 180,000 warning notices to violators and imposed fines ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 Taiwan dollars on 76 offenders. (dpa)