Smoking in Japan has seen a significant drop — the smoking population has never been this low in the island country, with less than a quarter of the population lighting up.
The annual nationwide survey was released last Friday by Japan Tobacco Inc. — only 24.9% of those surveyed considered themselves regular smokers. Last years figures came in at 25.7%. This years result is the lowest it has been since 1965.
In the past, Japan was considered a paradise for smokers. In 1966, the smoking rate was at a whopping 49.9%. However, the smoking population has gradually decline due to a variety of factors, increased health consciousness, stringent smoking regulations and aging population.
Japan always seems to be ahead of the rest of the world technology-wise and trend-wise, so what is happening in Japan is likely to happen in the Western world, and it is up to smokers to get used to it.
[Via: WSJ]
