Japan Smoking Stats for 2008

Amazes me how many people smoke here ..... guess the price helps.

Yay for second hand smoking... It would be no difference for me, several of my family members smoke.

I don't smoke most of friends do, I don't mind being with someone who smokes but what I can't stand is that smell in their clothes.

Illegal to smoke in any public space and in restaurants, bars, offices, pretty much anywhere but your house or in the middle of a field around here. Very good thing for us non-smokers ^^

Yeah I remember it was smoketastic! It was kind of sick after a while but now every time I smell smoke I think of a Japanese restaurant. x'DD

Glad we prohibit smoking in public restaurants and bars over here.^^

In Singapore, they banned smoking at certain locations as of now. Toilets, bus stops and cinemas are some of the newly smoking banned places. Was a second hand smoker for a few years, hate it when the smell follows you wherever you go >_>

Reminds me of the times I go back to Beijing and once I get out of the airport, a big wave of cigarette smoke hits me in the face. >o<''

Smoking is prohibited in a lot of place in here. And the pack price is raising regulary.

In Malaysia it is illegal to smoke in any public space. The government had take some action, by increase the price of cigarettes. Smoking is bad for health.

Don't like smoking or passive smoking o_o I had to live with 2nd hand smoke for as long as I lived with my parents as my dad is a hard core smoker ^^; I think this is likely the biggest reason why I am not interested to live in Japan ^^; I remember having gone to a pub with a few friends when I was in japan the last time, and when I got back to my hotel I felt like my lungs was black :P

Gotta quit >.<

Oh dear. I...am very, very bad with second-hand smoke. My nose/respiratory system is sensitive. I start choking if I stay next to a smoker too long.

Darnit. Will have to come up with some sort of strategy when I finally manage to visit.

Alot of students smoke in my campus - I guess it is like a mini Tokyo... except that all students are ready to deck you without a moments notice

Although i don't like smokers, i still respect that person since a choice that they have made.

People over here in the city don't smoke that much, I guess it has to do with the huge amounts of people walking around, that smokers know smoking would cause a hassle for the people near them. There's a lot restaurants with smoking sections around here. Even a Burger King I went to has a smoking section. Gonna try and get a pic of it.

"As for adult females - 12.9% are smokers - most of them being in their 30's."

That's good to know. Smoking is a turn-off for me. Not fully automatic but close to it. When I see a girl smoke I think it's such a waste of health. They know the health risk so I won't lecture them. Plus, I can't stand the smell as it makes me dizzy.

Not sure what kind of perfume or lotions girls use or if it's just natural but whenever they're around there's always a light fragrant air. To have that masked by the sharpness of cigarette smoke...eh... (>xx)>

i do smoke when I go to bar. Nothing like a cigarette and a PBR followed by a shot of Jack.

Singapore is (was?) a lot worse =____=

I'm allergic. I sneeze when a sticky smoker is beside me.

i don't see the need to smoke. i'd rather have some drinks with my friends.

So many people smoke here. When I worked part time in a small pet store, everybody except me and another co-worker smoked and would always take long breaks outside. I think that's why the manager liked us more.

My brother occasionally smokes cigars, which smell kind of nice actually, but that's much more different than cigarette smoke. He says cigar smoke isn't inhaled completely into the lungs; I dunno.

Taiwan seems to be pretty strong against smoking - pictures of lung/gum cancer on cartons with disease warnings and no-smoking posters everywhere. Not sure about the prices there, though (don't know the prices of tobacco anywhere, really).

Here in Utah with the "Clean Air Act" law in place it is illegal to smoke inside any commercial building unless it gets a special permit from the state. so unless your outside near people smoking or your at someones house who smokes you can't be bothered by it very much.

Tried smoking and never liked it.

i remember having to eat lunch while breathing smokes everyday in china, it was so awful.
normally restaurants here in my hometown are non-smoking.

people in japan sure smokes a lot... but i thought they have designated places for smoking (like those special glass room). i don't remember having to breathe smoke many times when i visited japan. but there was one time when i had to while having my meal.

Smoking is bad for you, m'key?

i have asthma so smoking's like a bullet in the head. Allergic to alcohol too, I'm like a anti-drug + drinking person

One of the reasons I like Kyoto over Tokyo...several of the nicer restaurants there have become smoke-free... ^^

I can't stand smoking, and there are smokers all over my campus. The worst part is their second hand smoke kills faster than the cigarette kills them! So we all get to die of cancer before they get it. Yay.

I should probably also mention the majority of my family has died due to smoking related cancer...

So yea, I stay away from that stuff.

The whole idea of ever trying anything smoke related stopped cold when my middle school science teacher brought out a healthy lung and a smoker's lung (the real deal mind you) and the smoker's lung was all black and had a tumor on it...

its very alarming here in my place even 10 yr old knows how to smoke...

Smoking is just a waste of money, i rather spend that money on my hobbies.

I don't smoke but while I was a kid a lot of my friends parents did. It's probably one of the reasons that helped me steer clear of it since I was able to see first-hand what it ended up doing to people.
Although the fact that it makes everything smell/look horrible probably helped as well.

I'm allergic to smoke and I hate the way the smell sticks to your clothes and hair... But mostly what worries me is the effects afterwards...

here in germany, there is a law since 2006 or something like that, that you cannot smoke in ANY insides (buildings) which are open to public
which includes all restaurants, train stations... things like that.

I myself do not smoke and really hate smoking... so this is the only thing I am not looking forward to when going to japan ^^

i don't smoke but most of my friends smoke, I can tolerate smoke but not the smell.

I hate smokers especially Bruneian teens that still schooling, the most humiliating is they ask for money from parents. HATE IT...

I hold my breath when walking past a smoking person... Just can't seem to breath properly with all those foul fumes -_-

I just vote no in the poll and the result was 8% smokers vs 93% non-smokers...

= 101%

I don't smoke now, did for 20 years though. Can tell activity is very low after so much, didn't gain weight after stopping. Besides buying smokes would require going out side (not going to happen).

I feel for you Danny. It's tough to be in a country where as a non-smoker, you're in the minority. When I went on business to Korea, I missed out on a number of opportunities because I didn't smoke. I was told that I should pick up the habit if I wanted to pursue a career in Korea, because so many of them smoke and talk business.

Therei s a lot of young people smoking in Czech Republic. I'm not one of them since I don't know what they like about it. Is it so fun to slowly destroy your lungs? And the second point is that it costs quite a lot and it cuts your possible expenses on figures and other stuff ^^

I don't and don't want to smoke because it will make me sick when I got old, that's what happened to my grandpa. I'd rather spend the money on figures rather than to buy a cigarette.

Back when I started at work, my station was near the door where everybody goes out to smoke. After they're done all that smoke gets sucked into the office and no place was safe from that area. I tried many things to avoid smelling them. I tried holding my breath... thankfully I'm still alive lol. I tried personal scent bottle, which worked fine except one of my hand would be occupied and I can't work. I tried deodorant spray that neutralizes smoke odor, so when I spray it then someone knows I'm aggravated by the smoke. Finally I got around to telling the general manager of the office about it and the smoke gradually dissipated. And of course that law about not allowed to smoke near doors, windows or ventilation in Vancouver passed and helped it out a lot. So no more 2nd hand smoke.

Back in Jakarta I tried smoking around 7 or 8 years old and I got so dizzy from it that I told myself I'll never ever smoke again. To this day I do still get dizzy just from the 2nd hand smoke...

i don't smoke,but don't really mind others smoking.

its just,i cant stand it when someone started to smoke inside a karaoke box 0.o,
inside that tiny place, the smell is awful =_=;

Smoking is one of the things about Japan I'm not looking forward to for when I do my year abroad. The government is spoiling us in the UK with the ban on smoking in public buildings - I hardly ever see people smoking any more, even outside.

I'm surprised that this time around, there aren't hordes of people condemning smokers. I think the last post Danny made about it turned into the anti-smoker police thread.

I have friends that smoke, and although it's not the healthiest thing for them, I realize that there are tons of other things out there that can kill them faster.

As long as people who smoke are mindful of the people around them, I really have no problem, since it's their decision and their life.

i think smoking hits karaoke and clubs the hardest, as your clothes soak up the smell without you knowing it

a smokey night club can really affect the mood of the night if you don't smoke.

so one way to fight it is, to join them. smoke on the occassions when you would rather be smoking one yourself

I smoke, leave me alone ;(

i dunt smoke, and i noe im prob not going to. i think a pack here borders +$13AUD, though there are times when the i can tolerate the smell and its not bad and other times when i goto move. since the majority of asians on my campus smoke, mostly oversea students i presume its way to trend orientated in those countries.

Smoking baaaaaad thing....

The fact that passive smoking will happen in Japan is not cool... I spose I could try wearing a medical mask lol. Like the yankee's. Smoking is even worse for me due to my immune systems not being as on top of its game as was, mainly cos of the stupid chrons drugs....

Amazing how polite Japanese people are but unconsciously lose all manners and respect when it comes to smoking.

wow almost 13% ladies are smoking .. i likes ^^

So, even if you don't smoke - you will be guaranteed to smoke passively in Japan whether you rike it or not. I guess the price of cigarettes over here helps - a pack of cigarettes in Japan costs between 2 and 3 USD for a pack of 20.

> No I SWEAR I WON'T !!!

you rike it or rike it
a, i just remember my prof
o well~

Smoking in restaurants is just plain rude, as far as I'm concerned. if I had my way I'd string up those responsible by their eyelids and have cigarettes stubbed out on their eyeballs.

maybe japan shud hav a no smoking in public ban......i here that sorta helped in india

Here in my state we they don't allow any smoking in public or restaraunts. Guess that kind of helps decrease the smoking.

otaku don't need smoke it is enough to waste their money at figures

Wew, while there's a small increased smoker in Japan, in Indonesia, some stupid organization are trying to banned the smokers and push the government to make some rule saing "Smoke is SIN!!!" What the? I feel naked in center of the mall now. Thx god the government are not doing it though ;D

Most of the restuarant in Japan has less non-smoking section but ever since I came here, I seldom smell any cigaratte smoke around which is much better than my own country where you can smell it almost everywhere around.

I don't drink and don't smoke as well. And I think that "inconvenient smokers" are some of the most unpleaseant people you can find. What I define as "inconvenient smoker" is the person who smokes in restaurants or very small places, making you lose appetite and/or be a passive smoker. I knew Japan had to have a big turn off. =/

In Brazil smoking is forbidden in places such as s airplanes, buses and government buildings. Although it is up to the city/State to decide if there will be more palces where smoking will be forbidden. For example, in the State of São Paulo, the governor, who was once Minister of Health, has completely forbidden smoking in any enclosed areas of collective use. In other states, the restrictions are only for public transport and government areas.

Yeah, I have seen my dad die from too much smoking, and drinking. Unfortunately he did not listen to advise about given the smoking up.
What I always remember is how the walls of the room would all be discoloured from the smoke, and think of how that is passive smoke, and what your lungs must be like. But it must be even worse for the smokerand their lungs!
My mum did give up in the end, but not straight away.

And yes I have smoked before. What a fool, but haven't done for years now. I smoked under age, being the big show off.

In Norway they banned smoking at Offices, Public places "Movies, schools and so on"
Restaurants and pubs.

Ever since that was done 4 years ago,
40% LESS people have died of hearth attack the last
4 years.

That's amazing, 40%? that's a lot of lives

not any more used to be a occasional smoker but stop because I wanted to live a healthier life. the good thing about living in the chicago land area is Illinois passed a bill about year ago wear people aren't aloud to smoke in public places they would have to go side and smoke so that was good. even where my parents live in Northwest Indiana, Indiana is trying to pass the same law.

It's still crazy expensive here...and yet...many are still doing it...harming me in the process...

I'm not a smoker but I feel that if you want to smoke, it's your life and body, why should I tell you otherwise. BUT! provided the section for smokers doesn't leak to the non smokers. Smelling a sour cig while eating a meal is real disgusting to me.

Some lobbyists have gone so far as to want smoking banned from the outdoors all together. This is absolutely stupid. People with their fireplaces cause much more smell and pollution in the air then somebody's little cig.

I don't but some of my friends do orz;;;

I don't smoke so it's good to see that at least here there is an indoor ban for smoking. On another note, it's been a while since I've seen a picture from work, usually it is blocked =P

I've always thought it a strange contrast how the Japanese diet is generally so healthy, yet so many people in the country are smokers. Sorta cancel each other out in many cases.

That is a lot of smokers. I'm surprised so many do. You would think more people would be smart enough to avoid this. Not only are you hurting your body, you are hurting others as well. Also while it seems cheap at first, it adds up over time.

Still surprises me how many Japanese smoke since they are long lived. Have not had to passive smoke in the UK for a very long time as it against the law to smoke indoors in the UK now, which is great.

I don't smoke. I haven't even tried or tasted, and won't do it in the future either. Nowadays here in Finland it's forbidden to smoke in the restaurants and most public spaces. You can smoke at home or outside on the street. Soon it might be so, that it'd be forbidden to show smoking people in television or movies. Cigarette ads have been forbidden for a long time. Then there are some companies which encourage their employees to stop smoking.

I always thought Japan had strict anti-smoking laws. I guess its good that they don't though, because if I ever go there I would love to smoke on a nice cigar while dining on some fine Japanese food.

wow

Let me Perface this comment, with this part.. I'm a Smoker, smoked since I was eighteen.. I'm thirty one now.

Honestly, its a dirty disgusting habit.. but, Like all other habits.. its not for everyone.. but everyone's got one. I personally do not smoke indoors. I find the smell of excessive smoke in a tight space rather disgusting. We here in Ohio have had a smoking ban since.. 2005 I think.. Lots of people complained.. we've adapted. But, Remember.. smoking is a lot like other habits.. and some are worse.. Drinking does far more damage then smoking does.. Something to think about.

wow im surprised by those numbers...

i plan to stay smoke-free my entire life, as i play much sports and is also a pain to walk up and downhill to school everyday, so i need my awesome lungs ^0^

Never smoked, never will. There is a smoking ban in my state [except for casinos] and I am glad for it.

i guess it also has to do with stress relief, imagine a smokin ban. Smoking may not be healthy, but it helps some people as a placebo for concentration and proper social behaviour.

i know what it is to be in a place where almost everyone is smoking xD. I live in a small town in US and still see LOTS of people smoking. I don't have anything against them but it does bother me when is in a public place. Although there are designated places, they can be in really bad places. Like one is located in the entrance of my college's library. Thus everytime i have to go there, there is bound to be someone smoking xD

This is really discouraging, I want to go to Japan but I can't stand 2nd-hand smoke after living in it for 18 years.
I think I'll just have to do a desert punk cosplay when I go outside, with a working respirator.

Never smoked, never will. I can't stand it either. If I'm up close to someone who smokes I get dizzy, or my head just hurts bad. =x

However, when I went to Japan thankfully I wasn't by any smokers. X3

About Brazil, smoker numbers are also going down fast.
It's forbidden to smoke in closed spaces here... but I guess some places are kinda tolerant to that.

But mostly, smoking is looked down on, which is a good thing... cultural change.

BUT, I'm on the black sheep list. I smoke. I'm managing to keep 1 cig a day.
Never smoke in public... in fact, the only place I smoke is on my apartment balcony way late at night, where I live by myself.

As for Tokyo, I guess I was lucky... while I was there I saw very few smokers around. Can't even remember if I really saw someone smoking. Was there for 22 days.

But as a tourist, I can't say I had a real experience...

Oh, here in Brazil I live in a city that is *also* notorious for smokers numbers... I do see lots of people smoking on the streets everyday.

Hmm...if smokes go for 2 or 3 bucks per pack of 20 I might consider taking it up (seeing as alcohol is expensive). But then since I'm too cheap to even buy softdrinks during my meals (which costs like 80 cents), maybe not >.>

But seriously, there's not a lot of smokers around campus, probably becasue you can't buy any smokes around the place. Most who do probably smoke in their apartment or something.

Tried once but makes me coughed a lot and not dared to try anymore. Hate it till today. But my father and big brother smokes.

I remembered when my big bro's smoking habits been exposed to my parents, my mother really angry at him at that time. Glad me and my little brother didn't pick up this habit.

Never smoked in my life, never will ^^

Used to smoke, only limited to cigars & mini cigars, until my doctor said it's the same nicotine I took into my lung but pay 10 times the price for a cigar.

looks like not many ppl here in DC smoke ^_^

I'm not a smoker but I've never understood why the majority of non-smokers are so preoccupied with other people smoking. I think if they like it, let 'em smoke.