Taiwan banned smoking in all indoor public places, becoming the 17th country in the world and the second in Asia to take the move to protect people's health.

The ban is a victory for anti-smoking campaigners and health workers, but is a nightmare for die-hard smokers who can now only smoke at home or in the open.

"Since Ireland banned indoor smoking in 2004, 14 countries and one territory - Bermuda -  have followed suit, and Taiwan is the 17th worldwide to ban indoor smoking," the John Tung Foundation, the leader in Taiwan's anti-smoking campaign, said in a statement.

Taiwan is the second country in Asia to ban indoor smoking after the Himalayan Buddhist kingdom Bhutan, which banned the sale of cigarettes and smoking in 2005.

Under the new rule, smoking is banned in all offices and indoor facilities such as department stores, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, airports and railway stations.

Smoking is also banned in indoor working environments where three or more people work together.

Those violating the rule face a fine of between 2000 and 10000 Taiwan dollars.

Indoor facilities that provide cigarette lighters or ash trays will face fines of 10000 to 50000 Taiwan dollars.

The new rule further restricts cigarette sales, barring shops from displaying cigarettes where customers can reach them.