Japan plans to impose workplace smoking ban, but without penalties

Tuesday 07th December, 07:43 AM JST

TOKYO —

A government panel plans to propose a bill to require employers in Japan to ban smoking in workplaces or set up smoking rooms, but will not include any penalties, government officials said Monday. The panel will present the proposal to the minister of health, labor and welfare before the end of the year to allow the bill to be submitted to the Diet during its ordinary session in the first half of 2011.

Although some labor representatives at the panel’s meeting Monday called for some penalties to ensure compliance with the requirement, the panel eventually endorsed management representatives’ opinion that imposing such punishment would be too tough for employers, the officials said. The proposal will also urge the government to provide financial and other support for employers to promote antismoking measures.