Smoking Etiquette, Japanese-Style

If you have ever been to Japan, you are aware of the preponderance of smokers in public and private spaces. We've heard, in fact, that the Japanese government has a strong financial interest (beyond taxation) in keeping Japan "smoker-friendly".

According to Wikipedia, Japan Tobacco (JT) "traces its origins to 1898. Incorporated in 1949 as the Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Corporation, Japan Tobacco was a state monopoly until 1985, when it became a public company. It was two-thirds owned by the Japanese Ministry of Finance until June 2004, and the Japanese government share is presently 50%. Japan Tobacco controls 66.4% of the cigarette market in Japan."

We have to admit that, as much as we dislike cigarette smoking (seriously, why even bother putting all those pollutants in your body for nothing?), we're happy that this suicidal habit has given Japan Tobacco fodder for these informative and philosophical smoking etiquette posters. (tons more available on Japan Tobacco's website)