The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Japan ratified the FCTC (the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) on 8th June, 2004. The FCTC became effective on 28th, February, 2005. We checked social changes on tobacco after its ratification.

Methods: Social changes in Japan were found in newspapers etc..

Results:

1. Since May 2004, using an identification (ID card) card for tobacco vending machines was started in some areas. This ID card will become necessary in all tobacco vending machines from April 2008. 2. Since July 2005, health warnings on cigarettes packages are changed. Before that time, health warning was very mild expression and their sizes were small. 3. In some local governments enacted local laws that prohibits smoking in streets. 4. Smoking rate of male is decreasing These facts seem to show that Japan is moving to smoke-free society. Following facts show that regulations of smoking are insufficient. 1. Even if ID cards become necessary, buying cigarettes is easy for minors. 2. Even though health warnings are changed, sizes of health warning are smaller than those should be in the FCTC. 3. A main cause of reducing smoking prevalence of men is reducing smoking rate of more than 60-year-old male. Smoking rate of female remains almost same level as before. 4. Increasing tax of cigarettes was shelved. Japanese policies are now slowly moving to anti-smoking, but it is very difficult till parting with the Japan Tobacco's stocks. To make smoke-free society, new strategies should be developed in Japan.