OSAKA, Mar 03 (News On Japan) –
Dubbed one of many world’s strictest anti-smoking measures, Osaka’s citywide ban on road smoking has drawn scrutiny over its effectiveness. Now, a month after the regulation change, how has the town remodeled?
On January fifteenth at round 6:30 p.m., a hearth broke out in a busy district of Osaka’s Umeda space. The blaze began from a pile of discarded cardboard that had begun to emit smoke earlier than igniting into flames. Nearby staff rapidly seen the fireplace and managed to extinguish it earlier than it unfold additional.
Security footage from seven minutes previous to the incident captured two people smoking on the road. The video reveals a person discarding his cigarette butt into the pile of trash, adopted by a lady who tossed one other cigarette butt in the identical spot earlier than each walked away. The discarded cigarettes have been decided to be the reason for the fireplace.
An area shopkeeper who witnessed the incident described the second: “The flames kept growing rapidly. This could have turned into a major disaster.” He confused the hazard of careless cigarette disposal, stating, “A single mistake can lead to a life-threatening situation.”
Until now, Osaka City had designated six no-smoking zones in high-traffic areas reminiscent of JR Osaka Station and Midosuji. However, the brand new regulation extends the smoking ban to all streets throughout the town. Additionally, heated tobacco merchandise are actually included within the restriction, with violators going through a wonderful of 1,000 yen.
On February 4th, officers patrolled newly restricted areas reminiscent of Abiko, instructing violators to adjust to the legislation. Many people who smoke claimed ignorance of the brand new regulation, with one saying, “I didn’t know about the ban.” Authorities emphasised that people who smoke ought to use designated smoking areas and adjust to the principles.
However, enforcement stays difficult. With solely 74 metropolis officers assigned to patrol the complete metropolis, guaranteeing compliance 24/7 is troublesome. Officers report that some people resist directions, with one official noting, “Some people argue with us for over an hour, questioning why they should listen to us.”
To accommodate people who smoke, Osaka City has established roughly 190 public smoking areas, with an extra 140 areas offered by personal companies reminiscent of pachinko parlors. However, a subject survey in areas like Honmachi Station—the place many workplace buildings are concentrated—revealed that current smoking areas are sometimes overcrowded.
At lunchtime, traces kind exterior designated smoking spots, and a few people who smoke resort to lighting up close to the amenities as a result of lack of obtainable area. “There aren’t enough smoking areas,” one particular person commented. “They need to increase them.”
Maps revealed by the town present that smoking areas are concentrated in enterprise districts, leaving different elements of the town with few or no designated spots. Karahori Shopping Street in Chuo Ward, for instance, has no smoking areas inside a 500-meter radius.
The scarcity has led to considerations from enterprise homeowners, notably within the restaurant trade. “We don’t know where to tell our customers to smoke,” one restaurant proprietor complained. Some have advised reallocating a part of the town’s tobacco tax income—roughly 30 billion yen yearly—to extend smoking amenities.
Additionally, many smoking areas shut at night time, additional lowering choices for people who smoke. One such location, which shuts down at 8 p.m., had its doorways locked effectively earlier than closing time.
Despite the brand new restrictions, some residents stay unconvinced. “If I’m not bothering anyone, I don’t see the issue,” one smoker stated. “This feels like an unfair crackdown.”
Osaka Mayor Yokoyama acknowledged the considerations however reaffirmed the town’s stance. “Our goal is to reduce secondhand smoke exposure and fire hazards. However, we also recognize the need to assess demand and make adjustments where necessary.”
Beyond Osaka, different municipalities are additionally strengthening laws. Starting in April, Osaka Prefecture will tighten smoking legal guidelines in eating places, reducing the edge for indoor smoking bans from institutions over 100 sq. meters to these over 30 sq. meters. Some companies are already making ready by putting in smoking cubicles, although homeowners fear concerning the monetary impression. “Losing this space for a smoking room affects our revenue,” one restaurateur admitted.
Experts warning that merely passing new laws will not be sufficient. “This policy was designed with non-smokers in mind, but it doesn’t adequately consider the needs of smokers,” stated one public coverage specialist. “There should be more localized efforts, such as requiring large workplaces to install smoking rooms while keeping them away from children’s areas.”
As Osaka strives to place itself as a cleaner, extra visitor-friendly metropolis, each people who smoke and non-smokers might want to discover a solution to coexist underneath the brand new laws.
Source: YOMIURI