Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The JapmTmies HOME <br /> The Japan Times Printer Friendly Articles <br /> <br /> Kanagawa eyes wide-reaching smoking <br /> <br /> ban <br /> <br /> <br /> YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) Kanagawa Gov. Shigefumi Matsuzawa said <br /> Tuesday the prefecture has compiled a basic plan for an ordinance to <br /> ban smoking in hotels, restaurants and other public places to prevent <br /> passive smoking. <br /> <br /> The prefecture will aim to compile a draft for the ordinance after <br /> <br /> seeking opinions and comments from the public and submit it to the <br /> prefectural assembly within the current fiscal year through March <br /> 2009. It would be the first such local ordinance in Japan. <br /> <br /> In 2003, the central government introduced a health promotion law that <br /> encourages steps to prevent secondhand smoke in public places. <br /> <br /> Because the plan is expected to spark opposition from operators of <br /> restaurants and bars, however, Matsuzawa also indicated that the <br /> prefecture might allow the facilities to introduce completely separate <br /> smoking rooms. <br /> <br /> Likely to be subject to the total smoking ban are schools, hospitals, <br /> department stores, government buildings, restaurants and bars, as well <br /> as pachinko parlors. <br /> <br /> The prefecture may consider requiring the owners of such facilities to <br /> remove ashtrays and warn smokers. It will also consider establishing <br /> <br /> penalties for violators, including people who smoke at such facilities. <br /> Bungaku Watanabe, representative of the nongovernmental Tobacco <br /> <br /> Problems Information Center, said Kanagawa's plan for a smoking ban <br /> in public spaces could end up being just a slogan unless it carries <br /> penalties with real teeth, like fines and business suspensions. <br /> <br /> The Japan Times: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 <br /> (C) All rights reserved <br /> Go back to The Japan Times Online Close window <br />