Tokyo Goes Hard on Smoking Ahead of the 2020 Olympics
In a bold move that puts Tokyo a step ahead of the rest of Japan, the city council voted on Wednesday to tighten the rules on smoking before the Olympics. It’s like the government decided to give cigarettes a stern lecture and peddle a fresh, clean bill of health.
Where the Smoke Hurts
- Schools, from kindergarten to high school – no smoking allowed inside. The only breathing room is for university campuses and hospital grounds.
- Restaurants – all smoking banned inside, no matter the size. If a space has to be carved out for smokers, you can’t actually eat or sip your drink there.
- Persistent rule‑breakers and unscrupulous owners face fines up to 50,000 yen (about $620).
Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters that Tokyo is ready to host a “mega sporting event” and that the city’s new rules are “further in line with global standards.” She added that other countries might be even tougher.
Why Does This Matter?
Japan’s national bill, which has faced push‑back from pro‑smoking politicians, is hanging on a wobbly platform. The new legislation will ban smoking in schools and hospitals nationwide, but it leaves a loophole for outdoor smoke. Restaurants under 100 m² will be exempt, meaning half of Tokyo’s eateries can still light up inside.
Who’s Breathing the Air?
Japanese lawmakers concocted a strict anti‑smoking draft, but the deal went through a roller‑coaster of amendments thanks to members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party who favor the tobacco industry. The government’s own interests are deep: it collects huge tax revenues from cigarettes and owns a third stake in Japan Tobacco, the world’s third‑largest tobacco giant. The company marketed a range of brands – Winston, Camel, Benson & Hedges – and welcomed measures that limit second‑hand smoke, but slammed “excessive” restrictions.
JT’s spokeswoman Reimi Kawato said: “We strongly wish initiatives would respect people’s ‘freedom of choice,’ embracing difference and diversity of opinions and choices of various people.”
Aging Out of Smoking, Still a Struggle
- Smoking on the streets is already banned in many places, with heavy fines.
- Pack prices hover around 440 yen, with modest health warning labels.
- The World Health Organization still rates Japan poorly in preventing passive smoking, trailing behind China and South Korea.
- Still, global patterns show a decline in tobacco use in Japan.
Takeaway: Tokyo’s new anti‑smoking crackdown is a bold statement ahead of the Olympics. Whether it will ripple nationwide or just shudders the city’s residents, only time will tell. In the meantime, hold your breath – but not on a cigarette!
