This year's slogan adopted by the World Health Organization for No Tobacco Day (May 31) is "Tobacco: deadly in any form or disguise." Since the framework convention on tobacco control came into effect in February 2005, the antismoking movement has become an irreversible global trend.
In Japan, some progress has been made in the antismoking drive following the implementation of the health promotion law -- which includes a provision to prevent smoking in public places -- and, increasingly, the adoption of local ordinances prohibiting smoking on the street. In addition, medical insurance coverage for tobacco addiction treatment started last month.
Prevention-oriented public health policy, such as measures aimed at discouraging the smoking habit, is becoming more important as a way of easing financial strains on the public medical insurance system, already aggravated by the aging of the population, the declining birthrate and ever-growing medical expenses.