Japan Introduces Nationwide Smoking Ban: Could Vapes and Heated Tobacco Benefit?

Japan recently issued its first national smoking ban. The new tobacco control measures will cover up to 84% of restaurants and bars in Tokyo, and 45% of restaurants and bars nationwide will be affected by the smoking ban.

The measure will completely ban the use of traditional cigarettes in designated locations, including kindergartens, schools and day care centers, but institutions such as universities, hospitals and government offices will still retain designated outdoor smoking areas.

However, under the smoking ban, heating does not burn and e-cigarettes are not affected.

Will smoking bans counter the abuse of new cigarettes?
 

The Japanese government has indicated that safer alternatives, such as heating non-burning equipment and e-cigarettes, will not be subject to the regulation, and a Tokyo government official said users will be able to use their equipment normally.

Although e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine and equipment that is heated without burning is less harmful than traditional cigarettes, completely exempting these devices from the national smoking ban will inevitably lead non-smokers to think that this is the next legal smoking policy.

For example, if you go to a restaurant that smokes smoking completely, but allows people to use e-cigarettes or heating non-burning equipment. Even if you are Vaper, you will think this is a bit inappropriate, right?
 

Perhaps the Japanese government's good intention is to use new tobacco equipment as a springboard for the smoke-free Olympic Games in 2020. If this is really the case, this regulation should also restrict the scope of use of new tobacco products, so that users can choose appropriate smoking places through clearer regulations. Only in this way can the real goal of tobacco control be achieved.

What is the impact on users and industry?
 

For e-cigarette users and operators, this smoking ban is very good news, because it not only represents that the Japanese government has a correct understanding of the health risks of e-cigarettes, but also indirectly recognizes that e-cigarettes are helping cigarette users. It is of great help in the transformation. Although the regulations are not comprehensive and may extend the self-discipline of new tobacco users, most people are still optimistic about this tobacco control measure.

As for industry operators, with the government's recognition, they are naturally more powerful in promotion!

Japan has a very high proportion of smokers, both men and women. After the introduction of this smoking ban, industry operators can take this opportunity to let cigarette users try to use e-cigarettes. However, at the same time, industry operators must also do a good job in guarding the role and are not allowed to sell e-cigarettes to minors and non-smokers.

The Olympics may bring explosive growth opportunities to VAPE