Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike on Friday announced that the metropolitan government plans to ban smoking in and around public facilities by 2019 and asked Tokyoites for opinions on what to include in the proposed ordinance.
"In 2019 Tokyo will host the Rugby World Cup, and I want to introduce the ban before that," Koike told a regular news conference at the government headquarters in Shinjuku Ward. She also stressed Tokyo's role as the host city of the 2020 Olympic Games, noting that previous host cities passed anti-smoking laws.
The metro government plans to introduce a complete ban on smoking within the premises of medical institutions, schools and child welfare facilities, Koike said.