no-smoking
Originally uploaded by nofrills.
I was tempted to take a "squared circle" picture at this "clean, stub-free pavement" but gave up because it's too dark and my battery was almost out. Maybe next time.
Yurakucho, Tokyo.
No smoking is allowed on the platforms and in any other part of a station now. All the train stations and bus stations/bus stops in Japan (overground and underground) are now "no smoking". In 2002, the law-makers decided to do something about passive smoking, and 健康増進法 (Health Improvement Laws) has been in place since then.
This picture is an narrow alley just outside the station - the "ガード下" area at Yurakucho Station. This actually is part of the station, but some people don't realise it is. The alley is 50 meters long, and it's fully decorated with this "no smoking" stickers on the floor, but it seems ... well, half successful. (^_*)
People (platform-smokers) might have been unhappy at first, but in time, they became accustomed to it. And they began to smoke just outside the station. But still, it is part of the station. That's why this long lane of "no smoking" sticker exists at Yurakucho Station. Somewhat funny. And more and more people has gone 禁煙 (quit smoking) thinking/worrying about their health.
Many streets in Tokyo are now no-smoking zones. A few yeayrs ago, before the 健康増進法 was in place. Chiyoda-ku illegalised smoking on the streets (歩行喫煙: smoking while walking) in many parts of the ward. 歩行喫煙 really was dangerous in crowded areas. Some wards, including Chuo-ku, and other cities followed. I'm a smoker myself, but I think the move was reasonable enough.
Japanese smokers can't complain. England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland (North and South) has no-smoking laws now - smoking is prohibited in all indoor public space. Italy has very tough anti-smoking laws. And France has just banned smoking in public space. (Even France!)
