There are welcome signs that the government is getting serious about steps to protect people from passive smoking as it prepares for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Since Japan's anti-smoking efforts are seen as among the weakest in the world, the government should aim to introduced a total ban on smoking in indoor public spaces.

It is not that Japan lacks legislation to control smoking in public spaces. A 2003 law to promote public health requires parties concerned to try to stop exposure to passive smoking in venues where large numbers of people gather, such as schools, hospitals, department stores and restaurants, but it carries no punishment for those who fail to take such steps.

According to the World Health Organization, 49 countries had laws as of the end of 2014 totally banning smoking in public spaces with penalties for violators. In assessing the measures taken here, the WHO rates Japan's anti-smoking efforts among the worst in the world. That the WHO concluded an agreement in 2010 with the International Olympic Committee to aim for "tobacco-free" Olympic Games is giving the government a sense of urgency to introduce tighter steps against smoking in public spaces by 2020. But it is the effects on public health that should be prompting the relevant action.