WHO honors Shizuoka boy ostracized over anti-smoking campaign

Saturday 31st May, 08:22 AM JST

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netrek at 01:33 PM JST - 31st May

He should sue the tobacco companies and everyone in his town who smokes with assault. There is a ticking legal timebomb. If the developed nations ever allow class actions lawsuits by innocent victims of second hand smoke it could destroy the entire industry overnight. But the damn politicians will make sure that doesn't happen. No one has a "right" to assault someone with their cancer causing smoke. They know it is harmful, the producers know it is harmful, the governments know it is harmful yet it legal? Smoke is a type of poison and should be illegal.
Himajin at 01:45 PM JST - 31st May

taiko666, smoking in the streets began to be banned after a little girl was burned on one eye (and lost the sight in it I think) because a smoker's hand swung into her face while walking.
WMD at 03:07 PM JST - 31st May

15 year old kid ostracized because he is anti-cancer stick. That figures in this deeply entrenched cancer society. I respect the kid very much for going up against so much oppostion from the cancer people. There's hope for this country yet,maybe.
smithinjapan at 03:17 PM JST - 31st May

Well done, kid.
capone at 03:50 PM JST - 31st May

wow the little nail wins...good job
northlondon at 05:09 PM JST - 31st May

If secondhand cigarette smoke is damaging peoples health, and we all know that it does damage innocent peoples health, then why is it allowed outside, in restaurants etc ? Oh that's right, super-powerful corporations like Japan Tobacco are allowed to restrict legislation through their political lobbying. Sorry for the political rant, but this is a subject that has riled me for a long, long time.

I'd like to know some more information on exactly how this community ostracized the kid.
himasan at 08:41 PM JST - 31st May

Sue the tobacco companies for getting you sick from second hand smoke? While you`re at it sue the car companies for making cars that destroy the ozone layer and gave you skin cancer, and dont forget the phone companies that build huge radio towers that give you brain tumors. I could go on all day.
romulus3 at 09:32 PM JST - 31st May

well when the government owns most of the stock in Japan Tobacco, what do you expect? Anyway, this kid is a puppet. Someone else is pulling the strings. Rather than have a go at smokers I would rather ask why it is ok for people to use a 10 year old boy to push their political agenda, even if it is for a good cause. Hiding behind a 10 year old is much worse than smoking in the street. However, I agree with the policy, just not the political engine.
Wottock_Hunt at 11:21 PM JST - 31st May

Good work, little man. I'm not going to hold out much hope of you getting any recognition from the Japanese government, but you have nothing but a two-thumbs-up salute from the Hunt household.
jpdrag0n at 01:24 AM JST - 1st June

its good that he got the prefectural gov't to ban smoking on the streets but after living here for half a year, i can tell you that 75% of the people disregard these sorts of bans. i'm pretty sure its banned to smoke on the streets in tokyo (or is it just a "keep the streets clean from litter campaign?)...anyways theres signs everywhere telling people not to smoke while walking and to go to the designated smoking areas. but on a weekend night, its a crazy free for all...come to think of it...even on the weekdays
OhioDonna at 05:26 AM JST - 1st June

Good for him. Here in the US smoking is still permitted on most city streets. It is is big no-no in buildings. I wish is was banned on the streets. Contrary to popular opinion it is against the law to carry guns without a permit.
DenshaDeGO at 08:39 AM JST - 1st June

Yuhta Ohishi was ostracized by his community when he started his campaign at the age of 10 after developing severe asthma from secondhand smoke in his neighborhood in Shizouka city.

Is there any wonder why suicide is so prevalent here? Imagine your entire TOWN ignoring you. Only in Japan.

The eternally altruistic Japanese government currently has a 50% stake in Japan Tobacco. It is no surprise that they're trying to get everyone (including kids) smoking
Youdontknow at 01:45 PM JST - 1st June

taiko666:

Isn't a little strange that in Japan, smoking is often banned in the open air, but perfectly legal in small, enclosed restaurants and bars? In many places you can't step outside a bar to have a considerate smoke in the street because that would be illegal!

I don't know what part of Japan you live in, but smoking outside is not banned anywhere in Japan!! Where do you get your information from? I've been here nine years and never heard once that smoking in the street was illegal!
buddha4brains at 02:04 PM JST - 1st June

Youdontknow, in Osaka you can get fined for smoking on the street in the downtown areas.

romulus3, who are you to decide someone is a "puppet"? And which political machine is controlling the boy? Maybe its the Japanese Asthma Association? Or the Japanese Lung Association? You don't know, but still you see a conspiracy - in an issue you agree with no less.
TeruSensei at 04:56 PM JST - 2nd June

There are parts of the street in Nagoya that clearly have "NON SMOKING ZONE" labelled on them. Cross the road out of the zone, and it's alright.

But at least they have some smoke free zones set up. It's a start.