Smoking prevalence, vaping laws, snus in Japan

There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Japan. Smoking prevalence was 32% in 2000 and declined to 21% in 2015, with a further drop to around 16% projected by 2025. For men the prevalence decreased from 51% in 2000 to 33% in 2015, with a further decrease to 24% projected by 2025. For women a lower prevalence of 13% in 2000 dropped to 10% in 2015, and is projected to decrease still further to around 8% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.

In Japan it is illegal to sell nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as they are categorised as medicinal products, and as of yet none have been approved in this manner. However, Japanese vapers can import up to one month's supply of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes for their own individual use. E-cigarettes without nicotine are not regulated. Restrictions on vaping indoors in public places exist.

There are no comments specific to snus in Japan in the database.

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.

There are no comments specific to nicotine replacement therapy in Japan in the database.