7-Eleven removing storefront ashtrays across Tokyo

How about a designated smoking area AWAY from the entrance, and utilizing the bins for cigarettes that they already have - disposing so many bins just adds to pollution and just causes an inconvenience. I’m not a smoker but this seems commonsense if they are still selling cigarettes.

Typicall hysterical and irrational action pushed by the more extremist non smokers. I never have seen this amount of smokers outside combinis. And relax it' s not because of a puff that you get a disease.

even the 100 yen shops sell those portable, spring-loaded, handheld ashtrays that one can carry in one's pocket/bag. there's no need for convenience stores to offer storefront ashtrays. #personalresponsibility

If they are selling cigarettes, then it is a social obligation to offer a disposal point for them. The same as they have bins for the drink and food they sell.

The execs of 7/11 will get to come across as all progressive while the staff on minimum wage will have to constantly run outside to sweep up cigarette buts.

Family Mart seems intent on capturing this Smoker market.  Yesterday went to a Family Mart and had to walk through a fog of smoke to get inside.  Tons of heavy smokers hanging out outside all around the entrance.

But people have a right to destroy their lives. Their choice. So smoking zones are a good idea to protect the general population.

I totally agree. The one positive I can say about California is that it has some of the strictest smoking laws around, extremely. If people want to smoke and destroy their lives, they have the absolute right, but it should be highly regulated to certain areas, it’s also getting harder to find smoking areas or even purchase cigarettes, all a good thing, but I do give Japan credit for trying, when I first came here almost 20 years ago, it was just like living in a giant chimney block, But at least people are becoming more aware about the negative affects of smoking and even the malls are better equipped and better designed to built regulated smoking areas for people that want to partake in a puff.

Good. But why even say anything? Just remove them all. Tell smokers go smoke in their house.

I think the figure of less than 20% of the population are smoking is somewhat padded. It definitely doesn't match what I see every day. I'm gonna guess it does not include those E-cigarettes, which are extremely popular, especially with the younger generation. .

I think the stats are probably right, its just that you see way more of it because its more in the open here: smoking in restaurants, ashtrays everywhere, etc.

Dango Bango: "get your brooms ready to sweep a lot of butts then, do you think the kind of people who smoke outside convenience stores are the kind to follow social etiquette?"

Then the next step is to get police to start fining polluters. It'd be nice if they did things for the better of society because it's for the better of society, and not just because they are worried about appearance heading up to the Olympics. Why doesn't 7-11 do this everywhere else outside Tokyo if the concern is actually about second hand smoke, for example?

Why only Tokyo. Nationwide please. In fact lets just create smoking-booths where smokers can enjoy their cigarettes without bothering non-smokers.

Recently visited some famous gardens, No smoking signs everywhere. And ashtrays next to each one? Took a photo best photo all day. Note to self don't visit gardens in winter, it's all dead. Ashtrays from the amount of people gathered around them were the most popular thing there.

This a welcomed,but what is stopping smokers from smoking outside convenience stores? Sign or no sign, ashtray or not, smokers here pretty much don't give a damn. They'll carry on as usual.

I live in the countryside. When I do my daily walk, I see tobacco butts and coffee cans. If I go to the city, second hand smoke and coffee cans and Macdonald rubbish.

I think we all know about the govt connection to JT. But always everybody says “cancer”. There are around 2000 know medical conditions connected to passive smoking. Always people say “cancer”. People also think cancer will come in 100 years time. So...no problem. My research, experience and work, I hate smoking.

But people have a right to destroy their lives. Their choice. So smoking zones are a good idea to protect the general population.

Smoking is a terrible habit and really hard to quit. More than the littering that comes with it, I really hate it when the inconsiderate person walking in front of me and my family is walking along blowing smoke. Smells gross and causes others displeasure. Really unhealthy. This is great news!

Unfortunately people will just smoke and throw their butts on the ground, guaranteed. They removed ashtrays and banned smoking from the west side of my local station (it’s still allowed on the east side) and I still see people sitting there in front of the “smoking will get you a ¥2000 fine” signs, smoking.

About time. Shouldn't have to need to walk through a haze of nasty just to get into the conbini.

Take that habit another 30ft away from the entrance of any establishment.

TokyoTelegraph & cleo

You 2 hit the nail on the head. Just stop selling them.

Good move.

I think the figure of less than 20% of the population are smoking is somewhat padded. It definitely doesn't match what I see every day. I'm gonna guess it does not include those E-cigarettes, which are extremely popular, especially with the younger generation. .

If they are using the ashtrays, they are following social etiquette.

And if there are no ashtrays, many of them will simply drop their butts on the floor.

If 7-11 really want to help prevent second-hand smoke, they could start by not selling cigs in the first place.

But that would affect the bottom line!.....

How about they stop selling cigarettes!

Wow! Great move on 7-Eleven! Cigarettes are just horrible, if they put the ashtray behind the building I’m ok with it, but having people smoke outside in front of the door as they’re inhaling and exhaling that poison garbage and blowing it around you, disgusting.

Well, yes, it's not going to stop people smoking outside; it's just going to create more damn litter.

Great move. Here's hoping all stores throughout the country copy it.

get your brooms ready to sweep a lot of butts then, do you think the kind of people who smoke outside convenience stores are the kind to follow social etiquette?

If they are using the ashtrays, they are following social etiquette. The people smoking everywhere else, especially walking, are not the kind to follow social etiquette.

get your brooms ready to sweep a lot of butts then, do you think the kind of people who smoke outside convenience stores are the kind to follow social etiquette?

If the campaign is successful

be nice to know what the criteria are...

Japan Times added the detail that 25% of 7-11's profits come from selling those little boxes of cancer sticks. Would like to counter that with the cost to the National Health Insurance budget of cancer treatments for smokers. Oh, and add in the wasted years of smokers "stepping outside" for a smoke all day long. Anyway, I applaud 7-11 and any steps towards supporting everyone else's right to clean air.