On World No Tobacco Day, Governor Koike Declares for Promoting Non-Smoking to Create a ‘Choju’ Society of Active Longevity

At an event held in Tokyo on May 31, World No Tobacco Day, Governor Koike declared that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will continue taking measures to promote non-smoking and prevent passive smoking, to create a society in which people enjoy an active, healthy, long life.

The governor made her remarks at an event, “the 2025 World No Tobacco Day,” organized by the Tokyo Medical Association and a consortium of companies promoting non-smoking, and held at the association’s hall in Chiyoda City, Tokyo.

She said, “The Tokyo Metropolitan Government aims to create a ‘Chōju’ society, a society in which people can enjoy a healthy and mentally rich life throughout their life.”

She then noted that the smoking rate among Tokyo residents has been declining year after year, down from 32.0% in FY2001 to 13.5% in FY2022, or less than half over these years.

She also pointed out, “Chances for secondhand smoke among Tokyo residents have also been on a decline, when compared to before the relevant law and ordinances of Tokyo came into effect.”

On World No Tobacco Day last year, the TMG, in cooperation with the medical association, held an event to promote non-smoking by lighting up Tokyo Skytree, she noted.

She then added that this year, the TMG has launched a campaign to educate foreign visitors to Tokyo about the smoking rules enforced in the capital and Tokyo residents about how to choose restaurants free of secondhand smoke exposure.

“I would like to make it my ‘Declaration of Promoting People’s Health & Non-Smoking’ to work together with all of you in taking measures against smoking and passive smoking. Let’s work together to this end,” the governor emphasized.