The Japanese city of Osaka has imposed a smoking ban on its streets since Monday, just weeks before the World Expo, which is expected to attract millions of foreign visitors.
"The World Expo begins in April, and we want to welcome many people from all over the world. So we want to make Osaka a city where people feel safe with smoke-free streets," Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama said in early January when he announced the decision.
Nearly 160 countries and regions are expected to participate in Expo 2025, a global event held every five years from April 13 to October 13.
Osaka authorities have extended the ban, which already existed in six areas, including the area around the station, to the entire city. Violators face a fine of 1,000 yen (about 6.10 euros).
In Japan, smoking while walking is already banned in most places, with smokers often confined to cramped areas such as train stations and gardens.
Starting in April, the Osaka region will also ban smoking in restaurants with a seating area larger than 30 square meters, unless the establishments have a designated smoking room.
In Japan, current law prohibits smoking in establishments with a seating area greater than 100 m².
Expo 2025, which will be held on an artificial island at the entrance to the city, has raised doubts due to slow ticket sales and worries among the Japanese about the financial cost, particularly the construction budget.
Nearly 7.5 million tickets had been sold by early January for the six-month event, less than half of the organizers' target.
In Japan, tobacco tax revenues bring in approximately 2 trillion yen (12.25 billion euros). The government also owns a third of Japan Tobacco, the third-largest tobacco company in the world.
Tobacco consumption in Japan is declining, in line with a broader global trend, with the smoking rate reaching 15.71% in 2023.
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