Raising awareness

Residents and government officials in areas hosting the 2020 Tokyo Olympic events are concerned whether the blanket smoking ban planned at the competition venues will be properly observed, reports Japan Times.

During the events, the Yokohama Municipal Government plans to deploy staff members around competition venues to raise awareness of the nonsmoking rule. But an official said, “It will be difficult for the municipality alone to implement measures.”

The government of the western Tokyo suburb of Chofu is also considering placing staffers around Ajinomoto Stadium where soccer and rugby matches will be held.

“There’s no concept of outdoor smoking bans in foreign countries,” a Chofu official said. “We must hurry to raise awareness among foreigners.”