A heavily watered-down anti-smoking plan won preliminary approval from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday, with newly added exceptions paving the way for continued smoking at eateries.
While the health ministry once sought to introduce a total indoor smoking ban in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, it gave up after staunch opposition from the LDP whose members have strong ties with the tobacco and restaurant industries. The amended bill may be sent to the Diet next month.
The current draft, compiled by the ministry, would completely ban smoking at hospitals, schools and government offices. But restaurants and bars would be allowed to set up smoking rooms where no food or drink could be served.