Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Chikara Sakaguchi said Tuesday he is in favor of introducing a "health tax" on tobacco, an idea being considered by the government and the three-party ruling coalition.
"I think it's a great idea," Sakaguchi told a news conference. "It would put some burden on smokers, but it makes good sense if it were used to promote people's health. I'm for it."
The health minister, however, said the enforcement of a health ministry-drafted reform of the medical system for fiscal 2002 should get priority over the proposed additional tax on tobacco.
The proposal includes using revenues from the extra tax on tobacco as a source of funds to help cover patients' medical expenses.
"To walk around and look only for sources of revenue is undesirable before eliminating useless parts of the current medical system," Sakaguchi said.
On Nov. 7, the three-party ruling coalition started discussions on adding a tax of 1 yen to 2 yen per cigarette to the current tax on tobacco.