January 1, 2018

   As I have mentioned before, tobacco is entirely harmful and provides no benefits.

Bhutan is the first country in the world to have banned tobacco production, sales, and use.

While I wish Japan could follow Bhutan’s example and become a tobacco-free nation, it seems unlikely in the near future.

Smokers may claim that smoking, even at the cost of their health, is a personal freedom.

However, they absolutely do not have the right to harm the health of non-smokers.

To address this issue, instead of immediately implementing a complete tobacco ban, measures have been introduced to reduce the number of smokers and mitigate the health hazards of both active and passive smoking.

This is where the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) comes into play.

FCTC is an international treaty initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote effective tobacco regulation globally.

It recognizes the severe health consequences of both active and passive smoking.

The treaty was adopted at the WHO General Assembly in 2003, with the aim of reducing tobacco demand and protecting individuals from tobacco smoke exposure.

Japan ratified this treaty in 2004.

Ratification means signing the treaty and submitting an instrument of acceptance, thereby binding the country to its provisions.

Consequently, Japan assumed the responsibility and obligation to implement the measures stipulated in the treaty.

Under the treaty, Japan was required to enforce a complete smoking ban in indoor public spaces by February 2010.

However, the Japanese government has not yet fulfilled this requirement at all.

Among countries that have ratified the treaty, only North Korea and Japan remain non-compliant, apart from some developing nations in Africa.

For example: Germany enacted a Passive Smoking Prevention Act in 2007.

In the United States, many states have introduced passive smoking prevention measures under state laws, and in 2009, President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, granting the FDA strong regulatory authority over tobacco.

Today, in line with the treaty, major countries in Europe, North America, and Asia have implemented tobacco regulations and passive smoking prevention measures.

Japan’s negligence in tobacco control is on par with North Korea, which has drawn sharp criticism from Western nations.

Treaties are agreements made within the international community for countries to work together and fulfill their respective roles beyond individual interests.

For a government to sign and ratify a treaty in its parliament and then fail to honor it is unbecoming of a responsible nation in global society.

To be continued.