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Smokers (2004-05-10)

There are a lot of smokers in Japan and many of whom start this habit in their teens.  Cigarettes are so widely available that getting a pack of smoke is as easy as getting a can of drink.  Vending machines that sell drinks and cigarettes are often placed side by side on the streets.  Even though it is illegal to sell cigarettes to people under twenty, enforcing the law is an absolute joke.  Unless there is a guard manning each of the zillions of cigarette vending machines in Japan,  there is not a chance of stopping teenagers from picking up a pack.  Unlike so many things that have a high price tag, cigarettes are relatively cheap at about US$2.5 a pack making it even more appealing for young people to try smoking.  And the health warning on cigarette packs  says "too much smoking might injure your health", injure in what way?  The government never hammers the fact that smoking causes lung cancer  to the public.  So let me see, cigarettes are affordably priced and the health effect on smoking is not publicized... I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that tobacco tax is needed to provide public revenue.

Smoking also seems to be readily tolerated by the public.  Not all restaurants have smoking and non-smoking areas but most of the times the difference between the two is just the strategic placement of tables, non-smoking patrons can still get a healthy dose of second-hand smoke from their neighbors.  Often times I have seen fathers puffing away right next to their kids and everyone around does not so much as raise an eyebrow.  

It is only in recent years that tougher law is imposed such as banning smoking on flights and in some government buildings.  But they must really do something about those cigarette vending machines.




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