What are the rules for smoking in town?
In short
It dependsIndoor places used by many people are generally non-smoking by law. Outdoors, local ordinances ban street smoking in many areas, sometimes with fines. Use designated smoking areas.
When does this apply?
The revised Health Promotion Act took full effect in April 2020, making most indoor places used by many people, such as restaurants and hotel lobbies, non-smoking in principle. Street smoking outdoors is set by local ordinances rather than national law: in Tokyo’s Chiyoda City, for example, it is banned almost everywhere in the ward, with a fine (currently 2,000 yen).
Why?
To prevent unwanted secondhand smoke, smoking rules in Japan have shifted from "manners" to laws and ordinances. Smoking while walking can also burn people passing by.
What to do
- Smoke where you see a "smoking area" (kitsuenjo) sign
- Put cigarette butts in the ashtray at the smoking area
- Watch for no-street-smoking signs and markings on the pavement
Better to avoid
- Smoke while walking
- Drop cigarette butts on the street
Exceptions and differences
Street smoking rules, and whether fines apply and how much, differ by municipality. Some areas also cover heated tobacco. Restaurants that allow smoking must display a sign at the entrance.
Manners can differ by region, facility and generation. Local signs and staff instructions come first.
Check with a quiz
You want to smoke in a Japanese town. What should you do?
Choose an answer
Sources
- 受動喫煙対策 (Measures against passive smoking)(opens in a new tab)
- 千代田区生活環境条例 よくある質問(opens in a new tab)
- Understanding and Mastering Japanese Manners and Etiquette(opens in a new tab)
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This text was written with AI assistance and has not yet been proofread by a person.