Using HTP in Japan

Data sourced: 2024. Page updated: 2024-05-23

In Japan, heated tobacco products are regulated by the amended Health Promotion Act. The amendments to the Act define smoking to include smoke or vapour from burned or heated tobacco, and therefore heated tobacco products are included in the smoking ban stipulated by the amendments. Smoking is completely banned in schools, hospitals, children’s facilities, government facilities, passenger cars, and planes. However, in practice, use of heated tobacco products is allowed in other public places such as restaurants and passenger ships and trains. The tax on heated tobacco products is currently at the same level as pipe tobacco under the Tobacco Tax Act, and sale to minors is restricted in accordance with Article 5 of the Act on Prohibition of Smoking by Minors. Heated tobacco products are also regulated by the Tobacco Business Act.

Prevalence

Adult current using HTP prevalence:

11.8%

1 A

2022

Adult current using HTP prevalence (female):

1 A

2022

Adult current using HTP prevalence (male):

17.9%

1 A

2022

References:

Odani, S., & Tabuchi, T. (2022). Prevalence and denial of current tobacco product use: Combustible and heated tobacco products, Japan, 2022. Preventive Medicine Reports, 30, 102031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.102031

Comments:

2022 Japan Society and New Tobacco Internet Survey (JASTIS)

Regulation

Regulatory status:

Allowed

1 A

Sales Volume (Billions of units):

81.12

2024

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Year	Value	Reference/Comment
2016	0.40	2A A
2016	1.00	2A A
2016	1.60	2A A
2016	2.20	2A A
2017	2.90	2A A
2017	4.30	2A A
2017	5.20	2A A
2017	6.00	2A A
2018	6.30	2A A
2018	6.60	2A A
2018	7.50	2A A
2018	5.60	2A A
2019	6.40	2A A
2019	0.60	2B A
2019	6.70	2A A
2019	0.80	2B A
2019	7.20	2A A
2019	0.90	2B A
2019	2.30	2B A
2024	81.12	2C

References:

PMI Quarterly Earnings Report
JTI 2019 Third Quarter Results; https://www.jt.com/investors/index.html
JTI and PMI annual and quarterly earnings reports 2014-2023

Comments:

quarterly

References:

1. Philip Morris International website. Available at: https://www.pmi.com/smoke-free-products/iqos-our-tobacco-heating-system; 2. WHO (2018) Heated tobacco products (Htps) market monitoring information sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/tobacco/publications/prod_regulation/htps-marketing-monitoring/en/ ; 3. Industry contact provided information; 4. BAT Harm Reduction Report 2018. Available at: https://www.bat.com/group/sites/uk__9d9kcy.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO9DCL3P.
JTI and PMI annual and quarterly earnings reports 2014-2023

Comments:

1. IQOS; 2. glo; 3. Ploom tech

Availability

Products are marketed:

Yes

1 A

References:

1. Philip Morris International website. Available at: https://www.pmi.com/smoke-free-products/iqos-our-tobacco-heating-system; 2. WHO (2018) Heated tobacco products (Htps) market monitoring information sheet. Available at: https://www.who.int/tobacco/publications/prod_regulation/htps-marketing-monitoring/en/ ; 3. Industry contact provided information; 4. BAT Harm Reduction Report 2018. Available at: https://www.bat.com/group/sites/uk__9d9kcy.nsf/vwPagesWebLive/DO9DCL3P.

Comments:

1. IQOS; 2. glo; 3. Ploom tech

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.