14 DAY TRIAL // According to the statement of a Japanese health care official, the country may soon adopt legislation that would severely limit citizen's right to smoke in public places. Although similar laws exist in most countries, the Asian nation is moving for a lot more control with its decision. The same authority has also mentioned that rumors stating that the measure could go into effect as early as next month are ludicrous, and that the government is still weighing in all its aspects.
As far as the new statements go, the new ban will affect governmental buildings, public transportation, schools and hospitals, places where now smokers have the right to their own room, to exercise their vice. According to the NHK public broadcast agency, these special chambers may soon disappear altogether, and the only place where people will be allowed to smoke will be in their own homes.
Immediately after the announcement, the government-owned Japan Tobacco manufacturer lost 3.8 points per share at the exchange, before recovering later in the day. The move has unsettled the market, as this is the largest cigarette producer in the country, and if its shares can vary so much, then all the smaller producers are at increased risk. Health ministry official Junichiro Mori said that, “What's for sure is that we are trying to rewrite the notification on the law to be leaning a little bit more on the nonsmoking side.”
The official attitude is that the government wants to better protect those who do not smoke, by completely banning cigarette use in public areas and buildings. At this moment, the existing law states that space owners can make their places completely smoke-free, or can set up a booth were smokers can light up. “Now it will say: if possible make it nonsmoking, but if not then have designated smoking areas,” Mori told about the new legislation.