A local government office building in Hiroshima Prefecture will reinstate smoking areas in September after officials were repeatedly spotted taking a puff on the street and it was judged their behavior would never be reformed.

The revival of smoking areas has drawn sharp criticism from the local medical association, which has slammed the move as "going against the times."

The city building's smoking area shows a sign that says those who smoke outside the designated area will be fined. | CHUGOKU SHIMBUN
The city building's smoking area shows a sign that says those who smoke outside the designated area will be fined. | CHUGOKU SHIMBUN