JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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isthistheend
"We want to be separated to get away from the smoke, do the designers just not understand? Or is it that they want to look like they care, but seriously have no clue that it doesn't seem that way at all to nonsmokers? Precisely. Just read genji17's barking jibberick. No, you misunderstand, non-smokers don't have "the whole floor" of separation and still unhappy about it. There IS no separation other than 5 meters of the same floor (no wall) are for smokers and 10-15 meters are for non-smokers. That's it. Funny thing though, THE SMOKE doesn't know its not supposed to travel past stall 5, and it does too good of a job penetrating into the "non-smoking areas" on its OWN., there IS no wall. the fumes spread all the way to slot 16 in a heartbeat.
Concerning e-cigarettes, I know nothing about them, but I imagine the one drawback is that they don't need a lighter to ignight them, and lighting a fire and inhaling high temperature smoke is part of the "high" that the smokers crave. So if that's missing, they can't get the same flaming "high", or so I imagine.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
And who is the joke on anyways? The attendant, out of an act of kindness, offered me a throat candy as if that would assuage my uncomfortability with the 2nd hand smoke. I left the candy on the table. That is the level of conscioiusness of general people. They benignly think any discomfort from 2nd hand smoke can easily be relieved by a piece of candy or mouthwash etc. Do these things cure cancer? And don't they know how painful cancer is? These sweet remedies do NOTHING to alleviate the nausia and other terrible discomfort of the disease. Its no laughing matter. And for all this, we are labelled "fanatics, crybabies, liberals ad infinitum." Its a really sad state of affairs. And that's why we have come to rally about this very "benign" topic to the tune of 289 entries. This is our paltry sounding board. But just as an idea whose time has come and can't be denied by the jokesters and name callers, by continuing to demand our equal rights of not-being breathed on (not treading on my lungs thank you), we will fight for this right for our own health and those of our loved ones, and society in general.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
Can't understand the joke of "love a decent Cuban"....but to continue. When I objected to the "attendant" on duty at the range, to please open one of the curtains blocking all the areas of the outdoors partitions. He said, "Why don't you go up to the 2nd floor. That's all non-smoking." (I didn't know this from the start). As I was almost done with my training session, I told him I'll finish and then next time I'll choose to go up to the 2nd floor. But later that day, and now the day after it riles me. Why is the the smoker and their lot being given preferrential treatment (and prime location) on the first floor, and we non-smokers relegated to the 2nd. Its like saying "Go to the back of the bus". Anyone who knows Jpn golf ranges knows, 1st floor is more expensive per ball, and more interesting to practice from than the 2nd floor, which is slightly dangerous (falling over the ledge if tripping or something), closer (distance wise) to the ceiling/net, and possessing perceptual difference of hitting the ball down to a target instead of level target.
The smokers congregate, laugh and smoke, and are oblvious that their smoking bothers those of us down the lane in the non-smoking section. Just like at the restaurants that have no meaningful partition and not adequate ventilation.
As I type, even 15 hours later, my lungs still feel deflated from today's range effect. So I have to put up with it, and I have to "go to the 2nd floor". The point is, enough is enough. Kanagawa Pref. (and Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo) have banned smoking from its public facilities. Why? Read any of tkoind2's stated research above if you have to and find out. To non-smokers, we know why without having to read it. We feel it. We don't have to be told we're being abused, our lungs tell us in no uncertain terms. They are our natural barameters. "Love a decent Cuban?" Hardy ha ha my arse.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
And to be more specific, the prolonged exposure (anything more than 5 mintues) to 2nd smoke leaves a very unpleasant taste in my mouth. Its not just an imaginative fantasy. My mouth feels like its consumed an inordinate amount of stale smoke, which in fact it just has. Even after 286 blogs, no one has mentioned this aspect. The foul TASTE that 2nd hand smoke produces and we are forced to inhale stays with us whether we like it or not....and that's the whole point of this blog. We don't like it, and we're standing up for our rights not to be overwhelmed by it.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
tkoind2, again many, many, MANY thanks for your perseverance and providing all the information and their sources. Very useful. Smokers die hard...literally. I was thrown out of kilter (stomach, lungs, feel excessively hot/uncomfortable) by prolonged exposure to 2nd hand smokers at the range again today, because it was cold and they had all the windows closed and covered with tent material to keep the place warmer. The point is, the bad feeling stayed with me for 3 hours, until I had time to take an afternoon nap, eat some relaxing food and drink and take an hour of sleep to totally relax my system..a luxury in Tokyo life, as you can easily imagine. But without that counterbalance, 2nd hand smoke just drives me up the wall, and for hours afterwards. It virtuallyl ruins my day. That's something people who aren't negatively affected can't understand. That the uncomfortability stays with us for hours on end. Its not just during the time that we're exposed. So tkoind2's idea of having a separate location, and a location that protects the non-smokers from being disturbed by the 2nd hand smoke is a very important factor. Not just having a separate location. Go the extra 10 yards.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
"Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette." Blacken your lungs, throat, kidneys, kookaracha. I have a good Japanese friend who is a lifelong cancer researcher and MD to boot, and very wealthy from patents on health products that have been good sellers in Japan for the last 30 years. About 2 years ago, when I first met him, he was in the habit of smoking cigarillos (small cigars) after meals. When I met him last month, he was no longer smoking, so I asked him why? He said, "I just had my lungs scanned. After seeing their horrifically blackened condition, I reconsidered my priorities." If only all smokers had such good sense.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
And put this into action at outdoor sporting facilities! For YOUR health, not just mine. Come on Hatoyama and Blinky, let's get tough about something that'll help your people!
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
Fadamor, I fail to agree. Everyone is suspect, but young adult male is less or more likely to be source of trouble on an overnight ride than a female, no? Not at all? I may be wrong, but I imagine those buses to have rather tall seats which hides the peoples heads from the people in front or behind, different from the trains that we ride here. This too, promotes untoward activity. And again, the woman should never have chosen an overnight bus trip to Tokyo.....but in the end, its her problem.
Posted in: Fireman accused of fondling passenger during overnight bus trip
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isthistheend
Foxie, many people survive terrible things, but because you are one of the MINORITY, doesn't mean rules shouldn't be enforced to assist the MAJORITY. Without a doubt, the MAJORITY or non-smokers are bothered (to various degrees, some slightly and some dramatically). Its different than car accidents, or food poisoning which is rare but inevitable in the living world. But those things that can be prevented, should be when the VAST MAJORITY voice an opinion concerning its improvement. So whatever your (or your friends) experiences have been, they don't come close to representing mine nor the vast majority of bloggers on this sight, or in other areas in the world at large.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
This story gives new meaning to "being on the hot seat."
Posted in: Fireman accused of fondling passenger during overnight bus trip
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isthistheend
and furthermore, what the xxx is a 26-year old woman allowing herself to be cramped in an obviously cramped bus seat, overnight (?) from Morioka to Tokyo for? Don't you think she should ask before the ticket is issued to sit only next to a woman. (as in period?!) "Oh, I'm sorry mam, but the person being seated next to you is a 24-year old fireman. Will that be alright?" "Oh, if he's a fireman, then I guess......" "xxxx no. Give me a seat next to a lady or get me on another bus." Don't you think?
Posted in: Fireman accused of fondling passenger during overnight bus trip
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isthistheend
Point is, sometimes, somewhere, the women feel stunned (like on the Green Car rape issue) and can't respond, or pretend its not happening. J-girls used to be/are still? a little of this tendency. And while we're at it, tonight on the way home on the Yamanote line, I couldn't ignore seeing this "Young Champion" magazine (330 yen) with nothing but teenaged (or below?) girls in bathing suit poses. How they raise them here is how they become later on. Who the heck is the Young Champion market, 12 year olds? 330 yen is not that far a reach, and they're avaiable for free pickings at most convenient stores. So I'm not at all surprised to hear of this "fondling a passenger" in a overnight bus trip scenerio, are you?
Posted in: Fireman accused of fondling passenger during overnight bus trip
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isthistheend
Once I was on the Odakyu line heading for Fujisawa from Shinjuku, and after we got out of the city, this young pervert (man/20 something) was pretending to sleep with his arms folded and hands crossed in his armpits. The girl (young 20's) was stacked for a J-lady and this guy was pretending to lean as he slept (like many students do on trains) and his hands under his arm pits just happened to budge right into the girls breasts, who was also pretending to sleep. I saw this go on for about 3 minutes, then I stood up and kicked the guys shoes firmly and told him to straighten up. But that's as far as I went. He continued to dose, though without leaning quite so far. And the girl never budged from her so-called slumber. This was a few years ago, and I don't think it could happen nowadays, but then again.....
Posted in: Fireman accused of fondling passenger during overnight bus trip
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isthistheend
First I'd like to thank tkoinde2, dolpingirl and all others for hanging in long enough to keep driving the main points of the matter home again and again. Way back when this blog was just getting started, in the early teens, I put my 2 cents worth (tax for one cigarette?) about it in writing, and after 3-4 attempts became too heated under the collar to continue. But thanks to your diligence, the issues are continuing to be clarified. The last comment by dolphingirl has me writing after some time. "Is it such a big deal to step outside the office, bar, or restaurant for 3 mintues to have a cigarette?" Unfortunately, that EXACTLY is the main problem. IT IS TOO BIG A DEAL FOR THE ADDICTED SMOKER. If you could only come to a golf driving range I attend in Tokyo, you'd see. These people (Mr. 4-minute, Mr. 5-Minute and Mr. I can't swing without a cigarette in my lips), literally cannot rotate their bodies with enthusiasm UNLESS they have a lit cigarette dragging from their lips, or burning away in the ashtray a step away from them. And the issue is exasperated because as they swing and smoke, as you might imagine, the huffing and puffing on the cigarette becomes deeper and more pronounced, and the smoke air bombs become clouds wafting over the whole floor. I've stood up tot these xxxx's more than once, and told them in no uncertain terms, "Don't swing and smoke at the same time!" But its like telling the neighbors to quiet their barking dog. They soon forget. They are so helplessly addicted that they CAN'T just "Step outside" like you suggest. I've talked to the owner of the range, and he suggests, "Why don't you frequent another location if your opposed to the policies of this establishment!" or "Is tobacco so offensive?" And they make a fool out of me. So yes, I believe its up to the govenment to designate smoking and non-smoking areas clearly. Otherwise, its just like blowing hot air. Mind you some other places I go strictly enforce the no-smoking areas in the range. But the family owned places (independently rich? and smokers themselves) do not.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
Nagoyalove must be one of Saito's drinking (and smoking?) partners. Comparing smoking in public to carrying handguns. "....folks here don't discuss, they vent....and worse some even think.....who's venting?" Doubtful about the chips for schoollunch comment. Its just an example that you can't tell a smoker anything they don't want to hear about. Where is this dude (I imagine its a male) coming from?
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
Nagoyalove nagoya love, where art though Nagoya love? "Take your bla bla blan and leave this battle to the natives." Who is reading and commenting on this article nagoyalove, the natives? I don't think so, do you? So is it alright with you, Nagoyalove, if we express ourselves as we live in these conditions? Or need we apply with your countenance for permission before stating our feelings?
Did you read the article to begin with Nagoyalove? And do you agree with it? Obviously something struck a chord, or are you just upset that nonsmokers (natives and nonnatives alike) have a point thats too overwhelmingly sound to go unrecognized any longer?
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
Lunchmeat, are you meatloff or just plain imitation? In 99.9% of the cases, smoking rules the smoker from early a.m. to late night p.m. and everywhere a smoker goes. There's nothing idyllic about it. Its the controlling master in a smokers life. Take away the cigi-butts, and their rubbing their pockets, lips, underarms, etc. for the life of them till they satisfy that craving by one means and one means only. Another breath of cigi-butt. And it affects all in their wake. I like the term "innocent" concerning smokers. They feel their innocent little cigi-butt is so charming and cute and loveable to everyone. What a racket! Drunken abuse has a differet set of "demonizing". Never heard of the Alcohol Annonymous World wide group? Please don't compare apples with oranges. looking for a loophole. ...for your next cigi-butt "break", should be called "fix".
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
No, we're not after banning alcohol, just smoke, tobacco/nicotine loaded smoke that is friggin penetrating my lungs if I don't hold my breath (and how long can I do that before I have no alternative?!). Smoke, smoke, smoke, damage my lungs, your lungs and the lungs of everyother human around. Addiction, your addiction, don't spread it around. Nice wording by the way, "I think you're BLOWING it out of proportion". Just stop blowing tobacco/nicotine and your fuzzy logic about it to those of us who have a right to be non-takers, O.K.? Is that so hard to understand? We're not communists, or fascists, or anti-Sarah Palin left wingers. We just hate the effects of being exposed to the xxx stuff. Get it? Over and over and over again. Smokers just don't see how their "one" picky-iu-nish cigi-butt can do any harm? That's what addiction does to a person. They think they're "entitled" as one celebrity in the news put it recently.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
This is now in the 40's and hopefully continues into the 100's. Smoking damages lungs. My lungs, your lungs, your childrens lungs and even Saito's lungs. Nicotine is SO ADDICTIVE that people are hooked just cannot overcome that addiction no matter how hard they try. I know people who stopped cold turkey, but also those who have tried stopping a hundred times without success. If e-cigarettes really are coming out next month (?) I would be the first to buy 5 packs (?) and offer one to every smoker I come in contact to during the day (at least 100). Well maybe not every one (due to the cost). But if such a product does come out, then the statute of limitations (blowing nicotined tobacco smoke all over the place) should be severly curbed. They did it in Chiyoda Ward, why not other places? 1st hand smoke kills, 2nd hand smoke kills, and 3rd hand smoke (why people have to wash their hair, or feel uncomfortable if walking into a room where the former two have take place) can make you feel sick. Smoke and flatulance are two different matters. Both stink to high heaven (except if its your own), but fortunately, flatulance is much easier self-controlled. Smoking is not. And to those who say smoking doesn't kill or injure, even the non-smoker, the case of the life-long musician, or suffering familiy member who never smoked but was subject to speaks volumes. Finally, we all have our own experience. Come ON e-tobacco, make your impact. Come on, Hatoyama while you still have time, make a stand on this issue as well as your others on the plate. Just make a top 10-20 list like Dave Letterman used to, and tackle this issue. It'll make Japan much more friendly to foreigners. I never knew Netherlands was so pro-smoke. These blogs can be very informative.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run
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isthistheend
And let me add quickly,"citizens start speaking up AND bringing JT to court (AND WINNING A SUIT)" about the dangers and damages of 2nd hand-smoking is essential. In addition, raising taxes by 10-yen per butt, making it a financial matter might help. I remember reading an article recently that discussed the damages of 3rd-hand smoking (i.e. the remnants of the the 2nd hand smoke after the smoker leaves the area.) As pervalent and devastating (to oneself and to others) as addictive tobacco/nicotine smoke is, its a wonder Eco friendly Japan hasn't taken swifter action. The trains have because they need foreign tourists and Olympics and things like that. Now, may we all redouble our efforts to rid it even further in public areas, giving us indoor and outdoor spaces free of the 1st-2nd-and 3rd hand smoke.
Posted in: Anti-smoking 'monsters' have smokers on the run