TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Deputy head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) admitted on Monday (Nov. 6) to using a banned tobacco product after photos of him at a social gathering were posted online.

Liang confirmed in an interview on Monday that the reports he smoked a heated tobacco product were true, and said he would accept whatever punishment was dealt to him, per Yahoo News. Along with vapes, heated tobacco products were banned by the legislature in March.

Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan (薛瑞元) told reporters that if there was sufficient evidence, Liang would be fined up to NT$10,000 (US$311) in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, Kuomintang Taipei City Councilor Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) attempted to leverage the situation on Sunday by posting pictures of Liang entering a building that she claimed also hosts private parties. The post included pictures of what Hsu described as “hot women (辣妹)” entering the building, who she insinuated were joining Liang there.

Liang denied the accusations and said he was invited to the building to visit a friend’s business. Laing said the race in Hsu’s electoral district appeared close, and that pursuing him will not help Hsu in the polls.