The number of smokers in Japan in 2018 has dropped by 50 per cent since 1989, Japan Times reported.

According to a survey by Japan Tobacco Inc., the smoking rate decreased to 17.9 per cent in 2018 from 36.1 per cent in 1989. Anti-smoking movements, increasing health awareness, an aging population and higher cigarette prices were cited as one of the main reasons for the decline, says the report.
Fumisato Watanbe, head of the Centre for Information on Tobacco Issues, notes that regulations that prevent smoking in public places and on public transport have contributed significantly to reducing smoking prevalence. “It was good that the law was revised and ordinances were established, although they are still weak,” he was quoted as saying. In 2020, Japan plans to tighten regulations further by prohibiting smoking in places such as offices, restaurants, hotels, schools and hospitals, according to the report.
Tax increases have also been attributed to the decline, with the price of a pack of cigarettes more than doubling since 1989. 30 years ago the price of a pack was JPY 220 (EUR 1.76). Now the cost is JPY 480 (EUR 3.85), due to tax increases, the report says.