JR stations in Tokyo, vicinity to be smoke-free from April

Friday 12th December, 06:29 AM JST

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DeepAir65 at 01:30 PM JST - 12th December

next the subways please. That may sound strange but every time you go passed a station office the smell of stale tobacco is overpowering...

I'm looking for work right now so will be happy to enforce it - fine 50% for JR 50% for me. Should make me very wealthy very quickly.
pointofview at 01:53 PM JST - 12th December

Its a good idea but I see young puks smoking all the time inside the stations. In some cases in front of the JR window or very close to it and the staff never say or do anything... Why? In many cases it is those kids with the coloured long hair so maybe the staff feel intimidated because they might be members of gangs. Thats when the police should get involved.
Ranger_Miffy at 02:52 PM JST - 12th December

Great Move JR! Show the way. Smoking is NOT charming at all.

People, everytime I've asked someone to stop smoking where they aren't allowed, I just point to the sign...they look abashed and stop. So, don't be too negative. This is a big move towards making the train (and subways?) much less stressful.

Plus, more rules lead more smokers to become ex-smokers. All for the good.
noborito at 05:03 PM JST - 12th December

What "legislation"? This is a JR Policy. There are no smoking laws in Japan. City ordinances are just that ordinances. Police are under the National Government. As you can see those parking police are under city laws. They I believe are responsible for siting people for smoking in city designated areas. If I saw any police personal dealing with this I would be pissed. I am an avid non-smoker, however police have more important things to do that deal with smoke. As for all the smokers in Japan, I say go ahead get cancer. Most cancer drugs are made from the good old USA. Love to see money fly back the other way.
GG2141 at 05:11 PM JST - 12th December

I hope the shinkansen is next. I always amazed me how the Japanese can build super efficient and super fast trains, but can't seem to figure out that filtering recirculated air in the cabin just does-not-work.
Sarge at 06:34 PM JST - 12th December

GG - Check out the letter from WL in this week's Metropolis mailbox page. That person is seriously pissed about the smoking car on the shinkansen.
presto345 at 07:52 PM JST - 12th December

As for all the smokers in Japan, I say go ahead get cancer. Most cancer drugs are made from the good old USA. Love to see money fly back the other way.

This must be the most intelligent comment of the week. Thank you.
Thenewfront at 08:26 PM JST - 12th December

Most Japanese drugs are generic with only Japanese companies profiting. The money does not fly to the US. Make the workd smoke free, and do us a favour.
meanmutha at 09:29 PM JST - 12th December

HELP OSAKA NOW!!
noborito at 09:37 PM JST - 12th December

presto345

Thank you.
meanmutha at 09:46 PM JST - 12th December

fines work! Singapore hits people hard, literally and even Hong Kong has a hefty fine..
Betting at 10:05 PM JST - 12th December

"Singapore hits people hard, literally and even Hong Kong has a hefty fine".

Yes, that is because those countries are motivated to do something about it, backed up by serious laws. In Japan is it more like, "Ok guys let's make a law to do something to clean up our act". Then they have no suitable penalties that can be enforced, completely useless. Also, the people are supposedly entrusted to enforce the law slack off after the initial excitement wears off.
Sarge at 11:19 PM JST - 12th December

"As for all the smokers in Japan, I say go ahead ( and ) get cancer. Most cancer ( fighting ) drugs are made in the good old USA. Love to see money fly back the other way."

"This must be the most intelligent comment of the week."

Or, the most insensitive comment of the week.
bdiego at 05:20 AM JST - 13th December

Exactly what Ranger said, 90% of the time you can get someone to stop smoking by pointing to the sign. People forget to turn off cell phones at movies and meetings all the time. No need to get the police involved in every case.
granygb at 01:07 PM JST - 13th December

What the hell's wrong with you people! It's is a free country. Let people smoke in designated areas..otherwise what's next?? We're not allowed to breath in public?