In this article, we will look at facts about cigarettes and tobacco in Japan and some labels for smokers. We will see a little about the customs and culture that the Japanese have of smoking cigarettes, and also some words and related vocabulary in Japanese.
Cigarette or tobacco is part of the life of a large number of Japanese, and some may imagine that Japan has its strange rules and customs regarding cigarettes. In the Japanese language, the cigarette is called tabako [たばこ].
Table of Contents
The History of Smoking in Japan
Why do we talk about tobacco? Japan is a country with many smokers, it was even called a smoker's paradise. More than 25% of the Japanese population smoked, only that number has been decreasing to below 20% thanks to government encouragement.
Smoking has a long history in Japan, and the Shogun even had some specific ideas about creating a formal ceremony or ritual for tobacco (just like the 茶の儀式). Smoking a cigarette in Japan even comes with a large number of customs and rules.
In the past the Shogun has suggested that when smoking a tobacco offered by a host, you should not smoke until the host has entered the room. When the host offers the cigarette you can say, “After you”, just like in the tea ceremony. In Japan the host can offer a pipe, to show humility and thanks.
The Japanese Government was the only tobacco company in Japan until 1985. Even today the Japanese Government manufactures over 60% of cigarettes in Japan and owns several Asian brands.
Curiosities about Tobacco or Cigarette in Japan
For decades, the government has presented posters with suggestions on behavior for smokers. Japan has also made several laws and suggestions such as:
- Japan suggests the use of portable ashtrays;
- The obvious suggests that smoking causes health problems.
- Suggest appropriate social behaviors for smoking.
- Smoking is prohibited in the central streets of large cities.
- Individuals under 20 years old are not allowed to smoke without parental permission;
- There are specific areas for smoking, even on the streets;
- Smoking in prohibited places can make you receive a fine;
A cigarette can be bought at any convenience store, supermarket, vending machine for around 420 yen (12 reais). A portable ashtray can be purchased for just 100 yen at convenience stores.
Some night restaurants, bars and izakaya allow you to smoke. The smoking rate is around 19.3%. Being 29.7% for men and 9.7% for women.
Rules and Etiquette for Smokers in Japan
In April 2020, a smoking law came into effect, banning smoking indoors. Exceptions are private homes, hotel rooms, bars and some restaurants with specific locations or open before the law was ed.
In Japan you cannot smoke on trains, buses and planes. In some trains and stations there are small ventilated areas that allow smoking.
Many cities prohibit smoking on the streets in busy neighborhoods, except in designated smoking areas. Smoking is also prohibited on the platforms of most major railway stations, except in designated smoking rooms.
Cigarettes in Japan are not bad?
Research shows that the Japanese smoke more than Americans, but still the rate of lung cancer is much lower. The risk of a smoker getting lung cancer in Japan is 4 while in America and Europe it ranges from 8 to 19.
Researchers claim that this is due to the custom of the Japanese to smoke 10 to 15% minus a cigarette. Is this ironic because Japanese people don't leave food on their plate, but they don't completely finish the cigarette? Another key factor is that many Japanese people start smoking after the legal age (20 years) or even later.
While 70% of Americans start smoking before turning 20, Japan also has a healthy diet, and the habit of drinking tea every day helps alleviate some problems caused by cigarettes. Japanese culture seems to be an antioxidant.
Other factors may be involved, such as the origin and manufacture of tobacco. Nowadays electronic cigarettes have become popular in Japan, but their price is close to 10,000 yen (60 USD), but they are found in convenience stores.
Don't let the fact that cigarettes are less harmful in Japan stop you from fighting tobacco addiction. There are numerous damages in addition to health, such as dependence and the financial expenses of maintaining the addiction.
Words Related to smoking in Japanese
To end the article, we are going to leave a list of words related to smoking and cigarettes in the Japanese language. I hope you enjoyed the article, if you liked it share and leave your comments.
| Portuguese | Japanese | Romaji |
| light a cigarette | タバコに火を付ける | tabako ni hi wo tsukeru |
| blessed | 煙草の吸い残り | tabako no sui nokori |
| mouthpiece | シガレットフォルダー | shigaretto forudā |
| pipe | パイプ | paipu |
| matchbox | マッチ箱 | macchi bako |
| cigar | 葉巻 | hamaki |
| cigar box | シガレットケース | shigaretto kēsu |
| cigarette | タバコ | tabako |
| gray | 灰 | hai |
| ashtray | 灰皿 | haizara |
| filter | フィルター | firutā |
| smoker | 喫煙者 | kitsuen sha |
| smoke | 喫煙する | kitsuen suru |
| smoke | 煙 | kemuri |
| matches | マッチ | macchi |
| lighter | ライター | raitā |
| bunch | 箱 | hako |
| tobacco | タバコ［煙草］ | tabako |
| smoking | 喫煙 | kitsuen |
