The Feb. 3 Kyodo article "Health ministry plan aims to cut smoking rate to 12% in 10 years" completely evades the obvious way to reduce smoking and passive smoking: Ban smoking inside all buildings, especially and including all coffee houses, bars, izakaya and restaurants. Join the civilized world.
If France and others can do it, so can Japan.
Ban smoking inside everywhere and the entire social structure catering to smokers will vanish, to the relief and betterment of all. The majority of people are not smokers, so why should smokers rule the roost? Make this law happen today, not 10 years from now!
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.
patricia yarrow