[Intl-tobacco] Ministry drops numerical target for smoking-reduction (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Ministry drops numerical target for smoking-reduction
by Yomiuri Shimbun
Source:  Yomiuri Shimbun., Friday, 2/18/00

The Health and Welfare Ministry panel examining a proposed plan to improve
people's health decided on Thursday to withdraw a numerical target that
aimed at halving the number of smokers by 2010.

The panel, chaired by Fumimaro Takaku, president of Jichi Medical School,
instead decided to adopt a compromise plan due to opposition from
tobacco-related industries and some Liberal Democratic Party members.

The numerical target had been the most ambitious feature of the proposed
health improvement plan because Japan's smoking rate is remarkably high
among the industrialized countries. The decision to remove the numerical
target is a blow to the ministry's new plan.

At a meeting of the panel, all 31 members were required to present their
opinions and it was decided to take the unusual step of deciding the issue
by majority vote, instead of by unanimous decision. As a result, the panel
decided to drop the numerical target for reducing smoking.