Passive smoking and anti-tobacco measures in Japan

Tobacco – Weapon of Mass Tobacco – Weapon of Mass DestructionDestruction

1 billion smokers worldwide (40% of 1 billion smokers worldwide (40% of men, 9% of women)men, 9% of women) 80% in developing countries80% in developing countriesAlmost 6 trillion cigarettes smoked/yr Almost 6 trillion cigarettes smoked/yr worldwideworldwide

Tobacco – Weapon of Mass Tobacco – Weapon of Mass DestructionDestruction

6 million deaths/yr worldwide (11% of 6 million deaths/yr worldwide (11% of male deaths; 6% of female deaths) – male deaths; 6% of female deaths) – 600,000 from passive smoking600,000 from passive smoking More deaths than from malaria, TB, More deaths than from malaria, TB,

and AIDS combinedand AIDS combined Tobacco industry makes $7,000 for Tobacco industry makes $7,000 for

each of the direct deathseach of the direct deaths Estimated 8-10 million by 2030Estimated 8-10 million by 2030

APRC201725 March 2015 | Tokyo, Japan

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control - The powerful tool to reverse tobacco epidemic

First global health treaty negotiated under auspices of WHO – adopted in 2003, entered into force on 27 Feb 2005.

6 Parties


WHO FRAMEWORK CONVENTION WHO FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROLON TOBACCO CONTROL

• establishes tobacco control as a priority on the public health agenda

• provides an evidence-based tool for adoption of sound tobacco control measures

• introduces a mechanism for firm country commitment and accountability

180


Demand and supply reduction measures


8 |


9MPOWER…six proven polices to reverse the global tobacco epidemic and support implementation of WHO FCTC

• Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies

• Protect people from tobacco smoke

• Offer help to quit tobacco use

• Warn about the dangers of tobacco

• Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship

• Raise taxes on tobacco

Article 8


Protect people from tobacco smoke• All people have a right to breath

clean air• There is no safe level of exposure• No exemptions should be

allowed• Only 100% smoke-free

environments protect health


All countries in the West Pacific Region have smoke-free laws…

Types of public places include: 1) health care facilities, 2) educational facilities (except universities), 3) universities, 4) government facilities, 5) indoor workplaces, 6) restaurants, 7) pubs and bars and 8) public transport.

WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2015

…except in

Niue and Japan

More countries are expected to improve their P status this year



Japan is still a smoker’s paradise. No major successful lawsuits. Only voluntary restrictions on the national level.

FCTC compliance grade: F


Industry


The tobacco industry puts profits before people.

2007 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 16

Image source: Action on Smoking and Health, New Zealand.

Challenges with CSR Campaigns

BIG TOBACCO ETHICS COMMITTEE

“we’ve checked and rechecked the books on Responsible Business Ethics and it’s good news…

killing your customers just isn’t mentioned!”


Text source: Japan Tobacco International. Images source: RJ Reynolds.

Japan Tobacco International

“Our ambitions are embodied in our Mission Statement: To build a powerful global tobacco company, maximizing value for our key stakeholders while striving for industry leadership. We will differentiate ourselves through sustained innovation in all areas and always deliver the best in consumer satisfaction . . . We respect the views of society on tobacco and are ethical and responsible in our activities . . .”

—Japan Tobacco International


2007 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Smokers and non-smokers can get along!

19


Stay vigilant

This is not the future we want

Passive smoking and anti-tobacco measures in Japan

Government & Nonprofit