Here's an idea I can get behind. It's an event called: "World No Tobacco Day". In 1987 the members of the World Health Organization [WHO] created this event in an attempt to bring awareness to the 5.4 million people who dies annually from smoking related illness. That's the population of Yokohama.
I found this statistic on a web site: In Japan, smoking is the leading cause of death and is responsible for 20% of all cancers. 50 percent of men and 14 percent of women smoke. The leading cause of death. Shouldn't the government, who's job it is to protect its citizens do all it can to reduce its nation's leading cause of death? Well...shouldn't it?
Lots more statistics here.
Japanese attitudes toward smoking is amazing to me as a Canadian. With all we know about the effects of smoking on health. For many years in Canada smoking in all public buildings - including restaurants and bars - has been illegal.
One package of cigarettes in Canada costs over Y1000, there are no vending machines for tobacco, there is no advertising for tobacco, all packages must contain a very large label (50% of the package). Visit here for a list of the array of very large images that appear on cigarette packages in Canada. It is quite disgusting, I think you will agree.
You can argue that it is about freedom to choose: If adults choose to smoke, that's their decision. Ok. However, it has long been known that second-hand smoke is as lethal (deadly) as smoking, itself. This is the reason why indoor smoking is banned in all areas - including restaurants - in Canada. In America - the land of freedom of choice - many states including New York and California, indoor smoking - including bars and restaurants - is banned. Even in staunch France, from 2008 public smoking bans - including restaurants and bars - are in effect. The law is supported by 70% of the population.
Where is Japan in all this? A wealthy, developed, educated country where smoking in restaurants continues and cheap tobacco is prevalent.
I feel that there is one good thing about being a smoker: it takes the mystery out of how you are going to die.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_No_Tobacco_Day
an idea I can get behind - to get behind something means to support it.
takes the mystery out of - to become known
