[Intl-tobacco] Percent of Japanese who smoke at record low

[Robert Weissman]

Percent of Japanese who smoke at record low
Reuters
 November 10, 2003



 Tokyo =97 The percentage of Japanese who smoke has hit a record low, most
likely due to a combination of health and economic concerns, Japan
Tobacco Inc said on Monday. According to a survey conducted in October
by Japan Tobacco (JT), the world's third-largest tobacco group and a
former state monopoly, 30.3 percent of Japanese adults smoke, down 0.6
percentage point from last year -- an estimated 31.08 million.

 Only 23 percent of U.S. adults are smokers. Just under half of Japanese
men, or 48.3 percent, smoke, dipping by 0.8 percentage point from 2002.
The percentage of female smokers stood at 13.6 percent, down 0.4
percentage point. 'It's hard to say just why this happened, but I
believe health concerns, the continuing poor economy, and possibly a
rise in the cigarette tax all played a part,' a JT spokesman said.

 In July, tobacco taxes were increased by about one yen per cigarette.
But cigarette prices remain comparatively low, with JT's top-selling
Mild Seven cigarettes costing about 270 yen ($2.47) per pack of 20.
Japan's Finance Ministry still holds a two-thirds stake in JT, and taxes
from tobacco sales make a hefty contribution to Japan's national
coffers. Despite the steady fall in their number, the nation remains a
haven for smokers. Even the Health Ministry has cigarette vending
machines. Last month, a judge rejected the nation's first suit by ill
and dying smokers for compensation from the government and JT, saying
nicotine was not addictive. ($1-109.28 yen)