As a rather apt follow-up to this video review of Tokyo’s coffin hotels …
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Tokyo has joined the growing list of cities to enforce stricter restrictions on smoking in public. After Paris’ cafes, it’s Tokyo’s taxis that have become smoke-free zones. Two Tokyo taxi associations initiated the ban on lighting up inside, responding to the threat of lawsuits from taxi drivers who complained that they were forced to inhale secondhand smoke when passengers lit up.
Two years ago, a Japanese court ruled out compensation for the city’s cab drivers for the health hazards they faced with secondhand smoke, but agreed that more should be done to protect drivers’ health. And it isn’t just drivers who’ve been agitating against the smoke — passengers too are complaining about the smell in the city’s taxis.
The country, once known for its liberal attitudes towards smoking has, in recent years, seen many clampdowns on smoking on the street and in offices. It’s getting harder for smokers to light up — many restaurants have done away with the ashtray, and will only provide one on request.
There’s a glimmer of hope for smokers, however — taxis drivers will pull over, and hand you an ashtray for a quick smoke outdoors, if you request them to.