OSAKA -- Forget the bid for the 2008 Olympic Games or the opening of Universal Studios Japan. For those Osaka residents who have long suffered in the presence of cigarette smokers, a recent announcement by the city came as some of the best news in years.
Concerned about the public health costs associated with smoking, and how they are likely to rise as Osaka's population ages, the municipal government said in mid-February that it was embarking on a comprehensive program to improve the health of residents. "I was so happy when Osaka said it wanted to reduce the number of smokers by half over the next 10 years and raise awareness of the dangers of cigarette smoking," said Mariko Umemura, 32, an office worker in central Osaka, who works with three chain smokers.
"It's horrible how rude and inconsiderate smokers are and amazing how little they understand the dangers (their habit poses) to others."