Tobacco companies will be banned from sponsoring mass events to prevent them from promoting their products, the ministry for health, welfare and family affairs said.

The measure comes as a part of the government's "Quit-Smoking 2020" plan aimed at cutting the smoking rate to 20 per cent by 2020 from 22.3 per cent last year.
Under the plan, smoking would also be banned at parks with a capacity of more than 1,000 people, public arts and culture buildings that hold over 300 people and public transport stops.
The ministry is also considering preventing stores from displaying cigarette packs on their counters and requiring people to provide ID when purchasing cigarettes. (pi)