So a couple of weeks ago, the painted signs (as seen below) appeared on the footpaths/streets of Kichijoji, my local hood here in Tokyo. Aren't they great (love the pacman character)!! What does it all mean - well, 'you are NOT allowed to smoke while walking outside anymore' - HOORAY!! There is actually a better one of a monster breaking a cigarette, but I haven't gotten around to taking a picture of that one yet.
This ban is limited to Musashino city - some other cities may follow suit. I must mention though that you are still allowed to smoke at our monthly meetings at work in an air-conditioned building. While I was walking to work the other day I saw some young ladies carrying signs (they looking like lollipop ladies) on the road. They had been hired by the city to walk around with these signs that said, 'No more smoking while walking - please smoke in 'manner' areas only'. Very interesting method of publicity. Regardless I love the signs and am very happy not to have smoke blowing in my face in the morning on the way to work.
that's very interesting. here in NYC the only place that you CAN smoke now is outside. smoking is banned in almost every commercial building, restaurant, and bar. i won't say that it went over well with the smoking population, but it definitely makes me happy. but if the government tried to pull something like this campaign here, people would be up in arms!
Posted by: gleek | April 29, 2004 at 01:14 AM
That is pretty amazing, considering Japan is such a smoking society! I am allergic to smoke, and I can smell a cigarette from a block away, and I HATE walking down the street and having to breathe someone's smoke! Let's hope the pacmen gobble up all the smoke in your neighborhood.
Posted by: Mariko | April 29, 2004 at 09:51 AM
Actually, they put signs like that up in Takadanobaba in January. It worked for about two days... now people just drop their goddam cigarette butts on them as they walk around puffing as usual. But it was a nice try!
Posted by: Schoolgirl | May 01, 2004 at 02:06 PM
Sounds great, but just like the "no smoking" on the platforms here in Kyoto, people still do it and no one will tell them not to. It might be another one of those nice signs like the bicycle lines and markings on the sidewalks that are always used by pedestrians when the rest of the path is clear!!! :P
Posted by: jitty | May 07, 2004 at 12:53 AM