Ride on …. The SmoCar!
The smokers’ caravan.

Did you know?
In Japan about 50% of men and 14% of women smoke. About 30% of the population. This makes a good business for Japan Tobacco (JT) the world’s third cigarette maker.
Cigarettes here in Japan are still pretty cheap by European standards (about 300 yens for 20…less than 2.5 euros). And you can buy cigarettes from vending machines on the streets (any time of the day and night). Everything is ready for the smoking party to go on and on and on.
Many coffee shops and restaurants are smoking and finding a non smoking section can be something of a challenge.
Now stop worrying, things are changing.

Time to quit
More and more people are concerned about health problem linked to tobacco and in the past years, the government has applied the world proven policy of price increase to reduce the number of smokers.
Also in some parts of town you find streets where smoking is not allowed. If ever you do, you might get fined. And it’s not like in Europe where no one ever gets fined, in Japan you really might (up to 2000 yens or 15 euros)!!
This somehow works but JT has also found another answer to the question of cohabitation between smokers and non smokers.

The SmoCar
The SmoCar is a little caravan built by JT for his customers. For technical information the SmoCar’s trailer can host about 20 smokers and will provide them with a great location to light up!
And if you don’t smoke, you might not get to visit the inside of this new air conditioned spot.
When the hot Japanese summers arrive, I wonder what option is worse between the outside hot and wet air and the inside of a smoky but cool trailer…

Get educated
When walking around Tokyo, we saw the SmoCar parked in front of Tokyo Station. Who knows how much it might cost to rent a parking space there.
But next to the SmoCar were displayed some very interesting information about cigarettes and the danger of smoking while walking.
Do it but do it with style

-Nico