Lighting up

It’s an all-too familiar sight in Japan: smokers in clearly marked non-smoking areas.

Since coming to Asia, it has been interesting to see how well the tobacco industry is actually doing. After seeing a series of litigative defeats in my own country, I thought surely the industry was hurt. Perhaps so, but upon seeing vending machines along streets, and staggering reports that more than 50% of Japanese men smoke (or had smoked) made me realize that Asia is still in the 1950s.

Gotta light?

Generally, local ordinances are in place around train stations and schools. Many visitors to Japan will notice increased signage for many things, so plenty of signs are printed, taped, mounted on poles, and even cemented into sidewalks and stairs. Fines can be 2,000 Japanese Yen on the spot, but I have never spotted anyone being stopped …except by my camera.

Apparently nothing stopped this old timer from enjoying a mid-afternoon puff.

Rolling and smoking

If you liked what you saw or read, please share below ☺

I believe in The Creative Commons.