Measures to Prevent Secondhand Smoke Exposure

The prevention of secondhand smoke has transitioned from a matter of etiquette to a legal obligation. In July 2018, a revision to the Health Promotion Law made it a legal requirement to "take care not to create unwanted secondhand smoke by considering the surrounding environment when smoking." As a result, measures to prevent secondhand smoke are no longer just about manners, but are enforced as rules.

In April 2020, Hokkaido enacted its own "Hokkaido Passive Smoking Prevention Ordinance" in alignment with national efforts.
For more details, please refer to the Hokkaido website:

Secondhand smoke refers to inhaling the smoke exhaled by someone else who is smoking. Both types of smoke—whether from the burning end of the cigarette or the exhaled smoke—contain harmful substances such as nicotine and tar, which can negatively impact anyone who inhales them. Secondhand smoke has been linked to increased risks of diseases such as lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is estimated that 15,000 people each year could have avoided death from these illnesses if they were not exposed to secondhand smoke.

• Always adhere to designated smoking areas. Smoke only in places where no one else is present.
• Be mindful of the direction in which the smoke drifts.
• Do not engage in "walking and smoking" or littering cigarette butts.