Now if they can just enforce it.............

Chiyoda Ward enacts smoking ban

The Chiyoda Ward Assembly in Tokyo enacted a local ordinance Monday prohibiting smoking on sidewalks in several busy areas.
The ordinance, the first of its kind in Japan, will take effect Oct. 1.

It passed the assembly with the support of all members except those in the Japanese Communist Party.

Under the ordinance, 25 percent of the ward will be designated as nonsmoking.

The areas include around JR Akihabara and Ochanomizu stations, both of which are often littered with cigarette butts.

Violations will carry fines of up to 20,000 yen.

Officials will patrol the nonsmoking areas on a daily basis, according to Chiyoda Ward officials.

The ward will also seek the cooperation of pedestrians in areas that have not been designated as nonsmoking.

The Japan Times: June 25, 2002
(C) All rights reserved
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This came as a bit of a surprise.
Now I am just wondering if they can actually enforce it.
There are "No Smoking" signs all over most train stations in Japan, however I never fail to see someone leaning up against one smoking away.
Every so often when I feel like a cheeky bastard and see one or some of those people I will ask them something like: " Are you Japanese?" Naturally they say "Yes",with a puzzled look on their face, then I say "Oh, I thought maybe you were foreigner and couldn't read that sign".
Not exactly the way to make friends but I many other friends I know really get tired of people smoking in non smoking areas.

[Jeff Hamacher]

i've been told that the japanese see smoking-related problems as a social issue rather than a health risk. it would be inconsiderate to light up in the presence of non-smokers, but the whole issue of second-hand smoke and so forth is largely ignored. then again, if you really wanted to catch a whiff (not!!!) you'd love to spend time in vietnam, for example. i've read that some 70% of the male population smokes. the koreas (both north and south) are reportedly not much better, with the majority of adult males smoking.

as a former smoker i try not to get all holier-than-thou on smokers around me, and truth be told, every once in a while i enjoy a puff on a good cigar. but i'm also much more careful these days about where and around whom i do it. it used to be that i'd cajole non-smoking friends into sitting in smoking sections of restaurants and the like. giving up a pack-a-day habit has definitely made me a little bit more considerate.

Aint nothin' wrong with a good stogie now and then.
One great thing about Japan is they have no trade blockade with Cuba........

[Steven Malanosk]

Hey Rob,

I knew there was somthing about you, that I liked.

Viva Cohiba!

How much does a Habana cost in Nippon?

[Jeff Hamacher]

Originally posted by Steven Malanosk
>> How much does a Habana cost in Nippon? <<

a quick check of an internet site or two says you'll pay between $20 and $50 US per single Cohiba, depending of course on the size you want. there are plenty of other cuban brands available as well.

naturally, anyone living in the continental US has the option of heading north of the border for a good cuban smoke in vancouver, toronto, or other major urban centers.

[Steven Malanosk]

Thanks Jeff,

That would be a good idea, if I still lived in NYC, but here in Fla.,one does not have to look too far for the Cuban connection.:mst:

Not that I would partake in the dealings of illegal contraband, in case any of my ATF buddies are reading this. :cool:

Jeff is right about the price.......it might seem a little high for the US for a cigar but in Japan everything is high so you become kind of numb to seeing something cost $20 when in the US it would cost much less.

I have seen tons of Cohibas here as well as other brands they also sell Fidel's personal brand........forgot the name of it. Lot's of good stogies though.

Steve,

If you come to Japan look me up and I will take you to a good cigar bar.

[Jeff Hamacher]

Originally posted by Robert Rousselot
>> Jeff is right about the price <<

actually, i might have been off with my guesstimates, Robert. one internet cigar dealer lists prices for Cohiba singles between 1,500 and 4,000 yen, which is closer to $12 to $35 US. still, i don't find it hard to believe that you could pay up to $50US for a cuban smoke.

>> If you come to Japan look me up and I will take you to a good cigar bar. <<

if you don't mind dragging along (pun intended) a real cigar greenhorn, i'd be happy to take you up on that offer. i'll be down to tokyo a week saturday for Matt Stone's martial arts demo/party at Camp Zama; sunday should be free for hanging around. even if that's not a good time, i'll be in japan for the next several months anyway. are you lined up to be at Matt's shindig?

I will be there with bells on. ;)