- 19 Apr 2002
- 800
- 9
Smoking in Japan
- Thread starter Scott
- Start date
timwerx
Long Takamatsan
- 27 Sep 2002
- 2
- 0
Smoking
I work with young people here, and it's sad to see them killing themselves. I've asked them about it, and they say that smoking is a necessary "communication tool." I can't communicate with them long in the student lounge, however, because of the reek.
Sadly, the average Japanese male cannot do anything without beginning it and ending it with a smoke... and with many more between.
The educational approach just doesn't cut it. After all, the warning on the cigarette packs just warn not to "smoke too much."
Change is coming, but it will be very, very slow, I think.
I work with young people here, and it's sad to see them killing themselves. I've asked them about it, and they say that smoking is a necessary "communication tool." I can't communicate with them long in the student lounge, however, because of the reek.
Sadly, the average Japanese male cannot do anything without beginning it and ending it with a smoke... and with many more between.
The educational approach just doesn't cut it. After all, the warning on the cigarette packs just warn not to "smoke too much."
Change is coming, but it will be very, very slow, I think.
Twisted
That man in the corner
- 15 Mar 2002
- 1,621
- 25
Here's the Dutch approach to discourage smoking:
Giant fat banners on the packets with the following warnings:
- Smokers die younger
- Smoking can damage sperm and reduce fertility
- Smoking can lead to a slow and painful death
I'm not sure of the results, but they've created a whole new market for cigarette-pouches.
Giant fat banners on the packets with the following warnings:
- Smokers die younger
- Smoking can damage sperm and reduce fertility
- Smoking can lead to a slow and painful death
I'm not sure of the results, but they've created a whole new market for cigarette-pouches.
moyashi
後輩
- 15 Apr 2002
- 1,717
- 19
that's one way to do it but ... I remember the death packages. They actually sold quite well for being cool.
I think that the American idea of taxing the hell out of the smoker is probably the most effective. Makes you really think if $8 for a pack is worth it.
Many smokers in Japan (ahem, including myself) know that smoking is dangerous and we'll die younger. But when the countries average life span is one of the highest in the world and you see 80 year old women puffing away you begin to wonder ...
Although, the wife isn't at home. I haven't smoked once in the house and force myself to stand out on the balcony. Hopefully, I can keep decreasing the areas I smoke at to help me make the final step and quit completely.
I think that the American idea of taxing the hell out of the smoker is probably the most effective. Makes you really think if $8 for a pack is worth it.
Many smokers in Japan (ahem, including myself) know that smoking is dangerous and we'll die younger. But when the countries average life span is one of the highest in the world and you see 80 year old women puffing away you begin to wonder ...
Although, the wife isn't at home. I haven't smoked once in the house and force myself to stand out on the balcony. Hopefully, I can keep decreasing the areas I smoke at to help me make the final step and quit completely.
Olivia
後輩
- 17 Aug 2002
- 130
- 1
I wish you all smokers luck! 
Me too, I smoked for 8 years. I quit smoking only 2 1/2 months ago, but this time I want it to last forever! (i think it's my 3rd or 4th attempt) so I know how hard it is to stop, especially in a place like japan (for those who live there), where smoking is not forbidden, and through the eyes of society, it is not seen as a nasty habit...
Minna Ganbare!
Me too, I smoked for 8 years. I quit smoking only 2 1/2 months ago, but this time I want it to last forever! (i think it's my 3rd or 4th attempt) so I know how hard it is to stop, especially in a place like japan (for those who live there), where smoking is not forbidden, and through the eyes of society, it is not seen as a nasty habit...
Minna Ganbare!
kinjo
後輩
- 15 Mar 2002
- 719
- 33
Olivia that's brilliant news, two and half months 
thank god this isn't a non-smoking forum lol,
I've been smoking 18 years roughly, and that's more than half of my life, so I will have to give them up real soon, my kids are even asking me to stop smoking around the house, and they pretend to choke ect, poor things I know it's not so fair to smoke when they are around, but I really have tried, maybe just not hard enough though
But keep you up the good work,
@timwerx, Hi and welcome
thank god this isn't a non-smoking forum lol,
I've been smoking 18 years roughly, and that's more than half of my life, so I will have to give them up real soon, my kids are even asking me to stop smoking around the house, and they pretend to choke ect, poor things I know it's not so fair to smoke when they are around, but I really have tried, maybe just not hard enough thoughBut keep you up the good work,
@timwerx, Hi and welcome
moyashi
後輩
- 15 Apr 2002
- 1,717
- 19
wow 2.5 months. nice job
kiddies giving you guilt feelings. Ouch. Time to cut smoking in the house. Have you tried the balcony? Although, the wife is at the parents house, I haven't smoked once inside, I go out on the balcony and imitate firefiles [hotaru] seems to be the name of smokers who sneak outside at night to puff away.
Now, I just have to cut done smoking while driving. That's going to be tough for me since I drive alot everyday.
kiddies giving you guilt feelings. Ouch. Time to cut smoking in the house. Have you tried the balcony? Although, the wife is at the parents house, I haven't smoked once inside, I go out on the balcony and imitate firefiles [hotaru] seems to be the name of smokers who sneak outside at night to puff away.
Now, I just have to cut done smoking while driving. That's going to be tough for me since I drive alot everyday.
I am a non smoker, and I NEVER smoked (nor do I intend to), but I dont have problem with people who smoke on their own. I have a problem with people who smoke in non smoking cars (in the train), and they are like "so what?"
Or the guys who think that there are two groups: those who smoke, and those who quit smoking. Why is it such a big problem with me wanting to stay healthy?
Schools have the worst problems. Here in Yugoslavia, 75% of highschool girls smoke! Little less for men. Every excursion is like an excuse for smoking, drinking and extasy! That is the reason I have never gone with school on an excursion. To get drunk? To kill a milllion brain cells? To nearly die of intoxication? NO THANX!
Or the guys who think that there are two groups: those who smoke, and those who quit smoking. Why is it such a big problem with me wanting to stay healthy?
Schools have the worst problems. Here in Yugoslavia, 75% of highschool girls smoke! Little less for men. Every excursion is like an excuse for smoking, drinking and extasy! That is the reason I have never gone with school on an excursion. To get drunk? To kill a milllion brain cells? To nearly die of intoxication? NO THANX!
- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,904
Alcohol, a question of experience. I love to have a decent glass of red wine in the evening and I also enjoy a beer with the guys. However, getting drunk shouldn't be the aim of consuming alcohol.
Smoking among students is indeed a serious problem. As you stated, in particular girls seem to be inclined to puff away. I wonder why.
Smoking among students is indeed a serious problem. As you stated, in particular girls seem to be inclined to puff away. I wonder why.
moyashi
後輩
- 15 Apr 2002
- 1,717
- 19
@ women smokers
It seems to be a way to diet. You eat a few MickeyD's french fries then puff away. Aparently you end up eating less.
@ smoking in non-smoking areas
here here! I'm an admitted smoker but I will not or at least knowingly smoke in a non-smoking area. I normally even ask the Taxi drivers if I may smoke. They laugh because it's such a Gaijin Habit that they deal with.
@ drinking
What's wrong with getting plastered/wasted/puke all night once in a while? However, if a friend is a non-drinker I will always respect that!
It seems to be a way to diet. You eat a few MickeyD's french fries then puff away. Aparently you end up eating less.
@ smoking in non-smoking areas
here here! I'm an admitted smoker but I will not or at least knowingly smoke in a non-smoking area. I normally even ask the Taxi drivers if I may smoke. They laugh because it's such a Gaijin Habit that they deal with.
@ drinking
What's wrong with getting plastered/wasted/puke all night once in a while? However, if a friend is a non-drinker I will always respect that!
moyashi
後輩
- 15 Apr 2002
- 1,717
- 19
@ Twisted
Well, yeah, but .... in high school that's normally the case but these days, my non-drinking friends are the ones who gather up money to pay for the bill and take care of the ordering.
Hmmm, now I think about it, I bet they gather extra from all of us drunks and pay for their share .... hehehe. That's ok though.
@ Thomas
You're getting old
Well, yeah, but .... in high school that's normally the case but these days, my non-drinking friends are the ones who gather up money to pay for the bill and take care of the ordering.
Hmmm, now I think about it, I bet they gather extra from all of us drunks and pay for their share .... hehehe. That's ok though.
@ Thomas
You're getting old
kinjo
後輩
- 15 Mar 2002
- 719
- 33
Yeah, smoking is appalling in Japan. a male license.Who is there without a packet of Menthol lights bulging from his shirt pocket?
just too bad.. and worse, most of them don't even bother to pop in a mouth freshner.....Aaargh, my previous customer always used to stink of smoke...
Saw one real cool ad a few days back
Theres this gorgeous woman driving down the highway and a guy thumbs up to hitch a hike. She ignores him and goes ahead, but sees in the rearview mirror that hes taking out a cigarette and starting to smoke. She pulls back and gives him a ride. Next comes this message filling the screen - "Women feel safer with men who smoke". Finally appears ,
"Smoking causes impotency"
Cool eh?!
It would make good sense in Japan where the birth rate is plunging down.
(But then, it wouldn't make sense if the women herself smokes right?! LOL)
just too bad.. and worse, most of them don't even bother to pop in a mouth freshner.....Aaargh, my previous customer always used to stink of smoke...
Saw one real cool ad a few days back
Theres this gorgeous woman driving down the highway and a guy thumbs up to hitch a hike. She ignores him and goes ahead, but sees in the rearview mirror that hes taking out a cigarette and starting to smoke. She pulls back and gives him a ride. Next comes this message filling the screen - "Women feel safer with men who smoke". Finally appears ,
"Smoking causes impotency"
Cool eh?!
It would make good sense in Japan where the birth rate is plunging down.
(But then, it wouldn't make sense if the women herself smokes right?! LOL)
- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,904
Funny ad! Btw, the European Union will ban tobacco advertising completely from 2005.
Japanese tobacco consumers start to strike back, read the article below:
Tobacco has long been Japan's killing machine
The first lawsuit by victims unlikely to have an impact
www.sfgate.com
Japanese tobacco consumers start to strike back, read the article below:
Tobacco has long been Japan's killing machine
The first lawsuit by victims unlikely to have an impact
Tobacco has long been Japan's killing machine / First lawsuit by victims unlikely to have impact
In other countries, governments are leading the anti-smoking fight with aggressive health...
www.sfgate.com
samuraitora
先輩
- 29 May 2002
- 903
- 3
Just as a note, I have quit smoking a couple of months ago. When I get the urge, I look at my son and think of all the people who have died or got cancer in my family. My son has done a lot for me. There is a long history of cancer in my family, so smoking for me was actually quite stupid. Plus, I spent some time in a hospital (working and volunteering). I have seen the effects of smoking, everything from people who had to have their bottom jaw replaced to an autopsy (spelling?). Nothing is nastier than seeing a set of lungs opened and all that funk in there. icky or well "yucky" as Jonathan would say...lol
johnpolito
後輩
- 6 May 2003
- 2
- 2
Reaching out to nicotine-dependent loved ones
Dear JapanReference members and readers with nicotine-dependent friends or loved ones. Are you forced to watch as your loved one destroys a bit more of their body's ability to receive and transport life-giving oxygen with each new puff? I write hoping that you might use a bit of the below info to reach out and help save the life of that very very special person.
Over one billion comfortable ex-smokers are alive on earth today, and it was dreams and desires, not strength or willpower, that allowed each to break nicotine's grip upon their brain's reward pathways. What self-taught nicotine lessons did most eventually learn that your loved one continues to miss?
What will your loved one actually learn from the next quick fix magic cure that fails to perform as promised? What could they possibly learn from a nicotine lozenge, an adhesive nicotine patch, nicotine gum, Zyban, Wellbutrin, hypnosis and/or acupuncture? Who will they next hand their hard-earned money and after it窶冱 went what learning will have transpired?
Can you briefly study cessation yourself and determine their level of understanding? Let窶冱 uses the nicotine patch as an example. Just how effective do they think it really is in helping smokers quit? The following link is to a medical study published in March 2003 that combined the results of all over-the-counter nicotine patch studies to date and concluded that only 7% of patch users were still not smoking at six months. Are 93% odds of early relapse critical decision-making information?
http://tc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/12/1/21#88
What is the chemical relationship between nicotine and caffeine? Why will the caffeine user's blood serum caffeine level skyrocket to 203% of pre-quitting baseline within 24 hours of ending all nicotine use? How does this factor play a destructive role in making quitting seem almost impossible for heavy caffeine users, and how is it easily corrected without giving up caffeine?
What is the relationship between nicotine and adrenaline? Why can many nicotine addicts skip breakfast and lunch for their entire smoking life and rarely sense real hunger? How can this interaction result in wild blood-sugar swing symptoms that can make quitting seem almost impossible for those skipping meals, and how do they correct it without adding lots of extra pounds?
Above are just two examples - among hundreds and hundreds - of nicotine dependency/cessation factors that when pieced together can make your loved one taking back control of their brain's dopamine reward pathways far more comfortable than they ever imagined possible. But when did they take the time to read the instructions that came with their addiction?
My name is John and I, along with scores of others, help facilitate nicotine cessation at one of the internet's growing array of free education and group support forums. In the lower right corner at WhyQuit.com - or WhyQuit: Nicotine Dependency Recovery - you'll see a link to a directory of all the major "FREE" online quit smoking forums. If any site asks for any money, please drop us a line and immediately remove their link.
Why would any nicotine-dependent human worry about SARS, or even wearing seatbelts for that matter, when there is a very high likelihood (greater than 50%) that their chemical dependency will, in the end, deprive them of roughly 5,000 sunrises, just as it did to over 4,000,000 during the past twelve months? If it does, it will have done so because they never realized or failed to accept that they knew almost nothing about their addiction or the process of chemical and psychological recovery.
You may want to build a skyscraper if you don't know how it can prove rather challenging. Knowledge is power!
Oh, there's one essential thing you need to know in trying to help. We, nicotine addicts, have a love/hate relationship with our drug and resist our death "all" offers of help. You see, it's every chemical slave's dream to quit for our own reasons, in our own time, on our own terms, in our own way, and as a result of our own planning, intelligence and follow-through! You must understand that we cannot quit for you, our doctor or because of fear. It must be for us!
Thus, the secret to helping us is not letting us know that you have played a major role in our dream. The addict's mind must believe that it found the key to the cell, that allowed us to trade places with and successfully arrest our dependency.
How can you be involved in our dependency education without realizing that you had a big hand in things? It isn't easy. In fact, doing so and keeping it a secret for life (which you may need to do to avoid the risk of "lost dream" relapse) is a tremendous challenge. But, you love us and that love will find a loving way to connect. I wish you well.
Breathe deep, hug hard, live long,
John R. Polito
Dear JapanReference members and readers with nicotine-dependent friends or loved ones. Are you forced to watch as your loved one destroys a bit more of their body's ability to receive and transport life-giving oxygen with each new puff? I write hoping that you might use a bit of the below info to reach out and help save the life of that very very special person.
Over one billion comfortable ex-smokers are alive on earth today, and it was dreams and desires, not strength or willpower, that allowed each to break nicotine's grip upon their brain's reward pathways. What self-taught nicotine lessons did most eventually learn that your loved one continues to miss?
What will your loved one actually learn from the next quick fix magic cure that fails to perform as promised? What could they possibly learn from a nicotine lozenge, an adhesive nicotine patch, nicotine gum, Zyban, Wellbutrin, hypnosis and/or acupuncture? Who will they next hand their hard-earned money and after it窶冱 went what learning will have transpired?
Can you briefly study cessation yourself and determine their level of understanding? Let窶冱 uses the nicotine patch as an example. Just how effective do they think it really is in helping smokers quit? The following link is to a medical study published in March 2003 that combined the results of all over-the-counter nicotine patch studies to date and concluded that only 7% of patch users were still not smoking at six months. Are 93% odds of early relapse critical decision-making information?
http://tc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/12/1/21#88
What is the chemical relationship between nicotine and caffeine? Why will the caffeine user's blood serum caffeine level skyrocket to 203% of pre-quitting baseline within 24 hours of ending all nicotine use? How does this factor play a destructive role in making quitting seem almost impossible for heavy caffeine users, and how is it easily corrected without giving up caffeine?
What is the relationship between nicotine and adrenaline? Why can many nicotine addicts skip breakfast and lunch for their entire smoking life and rarely sense real hunger? How can this interaction result in wild blood-sugar swing symptoms that can make quitting seem almost impossible for those skipping meals, and how do they correct it without adding lots of extra pounds?
Above are just two examples - among hundreds and hundreds - of nicotine dependency/cessation factors that when pieced together can make your loved one taking back control of their brain's dopamine reward pathways far more comfortable than they ever imagined possible. But when did they take the time to read the instructions that came with their addiction?
My name is John and I, along with scores of others, help facilitate nicotine cessation at one of the internet's growing array of free education and group support forums. In the lower right corner at WhyQuit.com - or WhyQuit: Nicotine Dependency Recovery - you'll see a link to a directory of all the major "FREE" online quit smoking forums. If any site asks for any money, please drop us a line and immediately remove their link.
Why would any nicotine-dependent human worry about SARS, or even wearing seatbelts for that matter, when there is a very high likelihood (greater than 50%) that their chemical dependency will, in the end, deprive them of roughly 5,000 sunrises, just as it did to over 4,000,000 during the past twelve months? If it does, it will have done so because they never realized or failed to accept that they knew almost nothing about their addiction or the process of chemical and psychological recovery.
You may want to build a skyscraper if you don't know how it can prove rather challenging. Knowledge is power!
Oh, there's one essential thing you need to know in trying to help. We, nicotine addicts, have a love/hate relationship with our drug and resist our death "all" offers of help. You see, it's every chemical slave's dream to quit for our own reasons, in our own time, on our own terms, in our own way, and as a result of our own planning, intelligence and follow-through! You must understand that we cannot quit for you, our doctor or because of fear. It must be for us!
Thus, the secret to helping us is not letting us know that you have played a major role in our dream. The addict's mind must believe that it found the key to the cell, that allowed us to trade places with and successfully arrest our dependency.
How can you be involved in our dependency education without realizing that you had a big hand in things? It isn't easy. In fact, doing so and keeping it a secret for life (which you may need to do to avoid the risk of "lost dream" relapse) is a tremendous challenge. But, you love us and that love will find a loving way to connect. I wish you well.
Breathe deep, hug hard, live long,
John R. Polito
