Job Discussion Forums

[bear]

Hello! This is something we can't seem to find much info. about. How smoky is Japan? I know that in Europe, it seems everyone smokes, everywhere. Sometimes it was really, really awful to go to a bar or club or something because it was impossible to breathe and it was absolutely packed with smoke, floor to ceiling---especially in Brussels, we noticed. What's this like in Japan?

[Glenski]

Although the number of smokers is declining, the number of young women smokers is on the rise. And, older men smoke like crazy. Japan is increasing its number of non-smoking zones, including some outside(!), but a non-smoking zone in a restaurant may be nothing more than the removal of an ash tray from a table next to a smoker. Coffee shops (except Starbucks) are horrendously smoky.

[Shonai Ben]

Japan is a smoker's paradise.Cheap tobacco and vending machines on every corner,even on the most remote country road.
Smoking is allowed in almost all restaurants,bars,trains and on most city sidewalks.However this is changing slowly.Some cities now do not allow you to smoke on the sidewalks and some trains are now smoke free.
Overall though,compared to North America,the smoking laws are very lax.
Enjoy that smoke.

[TokyoLiz]

You'd be surprised. I saw the bosses at my Board of Education office in city hall light up at 3 in the afternoon at their desks.

And bars can be dang smoky. There are lots of happy little 'no smorking' signs in my city, but that doesn't mean much.

And yeah, my favorite cigarettes are very cheap here. Only 300 yen for a packet of American organic cigarettes. Happiness!

[foster]

yeah...if you like smoking, Japan is the place to be....
It is revolting how many people smoke here...and the level of the smoke in clubs, pubs and restaurants....TERRIBLE!!!!!

Best one yet...saw a guy smoking IN THE SUBWAY station..standing RIGHT infront of the non-smoking sign....**Sigh**

[locagrl814]

is smoking in Japan worse than in Paris? God I thought Paris was horrible!

[LadyK]

I know this is an old post but I'm hoping for an answer anyway...

Clove cigarettes were recently banned in the U.S., and although I stocked up, I'm running low! I'm hoping to find out if cloves are readily available in Japan, specifically in Osaka and surrounding areas, and specifically Dajuum Specials. Any info is appreciated!

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[TokyoLiz]

Some sushi shops, ramen shops, Starbucks and some privately run restaurants don't allow smoking. It's refreshing.

In Tokyo and some suburbs, smoking is prohibited while walking in the street.

You'll find plenty of spaces where you don't have to breathe second hand smoke.

[Mr_Monkey]

I wouldn't eat sushi in a sushi restaurant that allowed smoking, and I'm a smoker.