Japan – Still Smoker’s Heaven?
In many economically developed countries, their governments impose certain restrictions in order to prevent the increase of cigarette smokers or to protect non-smokers from second hand smoking. In 1966, 83.7 % of Japanese adult men smoked. The number decreased year after year, and 43.3 % of them smoked in 2004 after people studied how harmful smoking is. It was only a few years ago, however, when they started discussing about second hand smoking. The government finally started imposing higher tax on cigarettes. Recently, they imposed 1 yen of cigarette tax per 1 piece of cigarette. In some cities, it is illegal to smoke on the public street. While the Japanese started acting against smoking, there are some companies targeting smokers by offering unique services and products.
It is essential for most restaurants to offer separated smoker’s and non-smoker’s sections. Other than restaurants, some services still provide certain space for smokers. Even at a hospital, there is a smoker’s booth surrounded by glasses. However, the trend is against smokers. These days, we even see more services forbidding smoking at their places. Most transportation does not allow smoking anymore. Media follows this trend too by not showing TV commercials or other advertisements on cigarettes. There are now some products encouraging smokers to quit smoking. Kin-en Pipe (non-smoker’s pipe) contains menthol and other scents, and has been a popular product for nearly 20 years. Nicotine gum can control the amount of addictive nicotine, and gradually smokers can quit smoking.
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December 23, 2008 Comment by George B (powersamurai)
July 5, 2009 Comment by Adam
Hmmmm…Japan is dominated by the “Politicians’ Syllogism”: ie, “Something MUST be done; THIS is something; Therefore, we MUST do THIS!” That always leads to back-ass-wards decisions, in my experience…
Before “TaSpo” ["Tabako Passport", perhaps(?) which prevents non-holders of the 'passport' from using cigarette vending machines] they decided to shut down the cig and booze vending machines between the hours of 11:00pm and 5:00am. Why? The only reason I’ve ever heard or read is: “To prevent the under-aged, especially school-kids, from buying ‘adult-only’ products.”
That meant that young Kenji and Keiko would have *all day* to find an isolated vending machine and stock up on supplies in broad daylight, but the hours that they were most likely to be safe, at home, in bed, under the care of their parents or guardians, were the hours when the evil, nasty, vending machines went to sleep, as well. It DID inconvenience a lot of tired salary-men (-and- women) of legal age. The machines would ‘wake up’ again, just after dawn, an hour or so before Kenji and Keiko were on their long commutes to their prestigious Junior or Senior High Schools in another city or Prefecture. DUH!
I’m an American, cracking 60 years old and 6 feet tall. I can walk into the nearest 24-hr ‘Konbini’ to buy smokes and booze by the carton, with no questions asked. However, in the 21st century, a 14-year-old ‘Hiromi’ or ‘Airi’ is often taller than I am and, even without make-up, looks about 22. She can do the same, as long as she knows what she wants and doesn’t get flustered or nervous…
I can’t smoke in the street, but I can duck into almost ANY restaurant or coffee-shop and blow smoke in the face of near-by diners, if I’m rude enough…THAT sounds very sensible…ne?
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Joel, you can always ask your mate who still lives in Kobe!!! I heard someone recently blame the increase of non-smoking areas for the ills of the Japanese economy. Yeah, right.