Is this looked down upon in Japan? I mean can you smoke in public? I have a friend going there that would like to know this.
2006-09-16 16:24:35 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
Yea he's male, also he is 19, do they have a different age limit?
2006-09-16 16:36:27 · update #1
I have lived in Japan for 20 years and can say that smoking is finally on the decline, though it's still a lot easier to smoke here than in the US. You must be 20 years old to buy and use tobacco products. Vending machines are everywhere. Brands from around the world are available, though often produced under license by Japan Tobacco. Smoking is allowed in many restaurants and most bars. There are usually specially designated smoking areas in train stations, airports, etc., but they are routinely ignored (lots of people smoke wherever they want and are usually not reprimanded). You cannot smoke on elevators, escalators, on most public transportation (trains between cities have smoking cars), and in many enclosed public spaces (museums, libraries, etc.), though even these sometimes have specially deignated areas. Japan Tobacco is sponsoring several "public service" campaigns about "Smokin' Clean" (don't throw your butts on the street) and being aware of children (don't carry lighted cigarettes at childrens' face level), but Japan is relatively tolerant of public smoking.
2006-09-16 16:57:31 · answer #1 · answered by peter_lobell 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One thing to watch for is that some areas have public smoking bans. Chiyoda City in Tokyo (the Imperial Palace and the 1-2 km wide belt around it) is one of them--you can't smoke on the street there. I think Shibuya has a similar rule but I don't go there often. You just have to watch for "no smoking" signs, basically.
2006-09-16 19:39:30 · answer #2 · answered by Taro Shinsei 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can smoke in public. You can also drink in public also.
Some places you go you will have to go to the smoking area like trains, train stations, and airports but he can pretty much drink where ever you like.
The drinking age is legally 20 but is not enforced.
2006-09-16 17:51:43 · answer #3 · answered by Andy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NEVER SMOKE IN JAPANASE STREETS! It is considred rude. You may sometimes find smoking areas and some restrunts may have smoking areas. I have never seen smoking in Tokyo. Also, never talk on your mobile on the train! Even if you get a good conection (in a subway you wont) and you can talk quietly, this is very rude. One more thing. It is also considred rude to eat on the streets like we do. If you HAVE to do it (I would not) and you litter oryou chew gum, you may be fined!!!!
A lot of rules eh!!!!!!
2006-09-16 19:41:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course you can smoke. It is more accepted than in the US. However, if your friend is female it is considered unladylike by the older generation. She could get a reputation for being a hard-*** which is not a good idea if she works w kids.
I just read the following answer. Gum is NOT illegal in Japan!! WTF???
2006-09-16 16:33:47 · answer #5 · answered by tiger lou 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everyone in asia smokes very strong cigarettes. Do not chew gum though it is illegal in Japan. And do not litter - big no-no.
2006-09-16 16:33:50 · answer #6 · answered by obenypopstar 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
no, its rude, but everyone is on there cellphone...there got no time to smoke...lol
2006-09-16 16:26:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋