The Diet enacted a law last year to protect people from lifestyle-related illnesses, including cancer and other diseases caused by passive smoking, and now lawmakers have taken steps to protect themselves, removing all ashtrays from around the plenary chambers of both houses.
The House of Representatives led the way by having the ashtrays removed from rooms, corridors and hallways around the plenary chamber, and now the House of Councilors has followed suit.
A ban on smoking in the areas around the chambers and the separation of smoking from no-smoking areas was initiated by a group of lawmakers headed by former Lower House Speaker Tamisuke Watanuki.