JT's Smokeless Tobacco Enters Nonsmoking Areas

Tokyo, May 16 (Jiji Press)--Smokers do not have to look for their
places if they have Japan Tobacco Inc.'s <2914> smokeless tobacco product
hitting store shelves in Tokyo on Monday.
Most municipalities, railway operators and airlines, which are
stepping up efforts to limit exposure to secondhand smoke, will allow the
new product, the Zerostyle Mint, in nonsmoking areas.
The Zerostyle Mint, defined as tobacco under law, is composed of a
mouthpiece, replaceable cartridge containing tobacco leaves, shaft and
removable cap.
With no combustion involved, the product is tar-free but delivers a
small amount of nicotine. Puffing it "combines the fresh and sweet scent of
peppermint with the aroma and flavor of tobacco," according to Japan
Tobacco.
A single cartridge lasts half a day to one day. One set with two
cartridges will sell for 300 yen and four cartridges cost 400 yen.
Manabu Sakuta, chairman of the Japan Society for Tobacco Control,
however, warns that the smokeless tobacco is as harmful to health as
cigarettes. Although it does not emit smoke, users of the product, which
contains tobacco leaves, inhale carcinogens, he says.
Sakuta also expresses concerns that minors will have less
hesitation to use the smokeless tobacco.
While Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, bans smoking in public
facilities, the Zerostyle Mint will be exempted from the prohibition.
Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, which prohibits smoking on streets, also
maintains the product falls outside of the regulation.
East Japan Railway Co. <9020> says it will allow the smokeless
tobacco to be used in its Shinkansen high-speed trains and express trains,
where smoking is totally banned.
Meanwhile, airlines hold differing views.
Japan Airlines tolerates the use of the product on aircraft,
concluding that its use will little affect the amenity of the cabin. JAL
prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes on airplanes.
But All Nippon Airways <9202> allows neither the Zerostyle Mint nor
electronic cigarettes, claiming that passengers nearby mistake either
product for a cigarette and feel uncomfortable.


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