Comments on: Science Council Calls For Doubling Of Tobacco Taxes http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/ Japan News Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: M.C. Escher http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-150472 M.C. Escher Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:21:30 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-150472 There are far more nanny state fans around than I would expect. So much for personal responsibility. There are far more nanny state fans around than I would expect. So much for personal responsibility.

]]> By: fedmich http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-150444 fedmich Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:52:27 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-150444 Me too, Im drawn and was reading the full article because of that picture. anyway, I think I saw some packs of cigarette with this kinds of arts on it. Me too, Im drawn and was reading the full article because of that picture. anyway, I think I saw some packs of cigarette with this kinds of arts on it.

]]> By: James http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-/#comment-149370 James Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:31:20 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149370 Although we are constantly exploring the subject, currently there is no direct evidence that links Japan Probe usage to cancer. Although we are constantly exploring the subject, currently there is no direct evidence that links Japan Probe usage to cancer.

]]> By: Durf http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-/#comment-149366 Durf Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:01:02 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149366 I hereby demand a low-tar version of Japan Probe! I hereby demand a low-tar version of Japan Probe!

]]> By: Keith http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-/#comment-149360 Keith Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:41:21 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149360 The day that I have to deal with second hand Japan Probe while walking down the street or someone dies of Japan Probe, I'll fully agree with that. Until that happens, I say we focus on cigarettes, a product that has killed more people than any war. The day that I have to deal with second hand Japan Probe while walking down the street or someone dies of Japan Probe, I’ll fully agree with that. Until that happens, I say we focus on cigarettes, a product that has killed more people than any war.

]]> By: Keith http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149358 Keith Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:35:36 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149358 How does raising taxes and banning vending machines prevent people from smoking? It only encourages them not to. Anybody who wants to still can, but just at a higher price and a step in a convenience store. If you commit suicide because taxes go up and you have to actually interact with humans in order to buy some cigarettes, then the problem is with yourself, not this measure. How does raising taxes and banning vending machines prevent people from smoking? It only encourages them not to. Anybody who wants to still can, but just at a higher price and a step in a convenience store.

If you commit suicide because taxes go up and you have to actually interact with humans in order to buy some cigarettes, then the problem is with yourself, not this measure.

]]> By: underwaterexplosions http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149355 underwaterexplosions Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:24:29 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149355 First things first, I respect the rights of smokers to smoke if their actions do not affect of offend someone else. This is just common courtesy and on that note I completely agree that the taxes should go up, but doubt that an extra buck eighty is really going to deter anyone with a smoking habit. I also agree that there should not be any cigarette vending machines available to anyone with a couple bucks in their pockets, including the pockets of children, JT's next generation of smokers, a very important future market. The recommendations outlined above are steps in the right direction, but baby steps in my opinion. Have the government get rid of their shares in tobacco and then you'll see some positive changes. First things first, I respect the rights of smokers to smoke if their actions do not affect of offend someone else. This is just common courtesy and on that note I completely agree that the taxes should go up, but doubt that an extra buck eighty is really going to deter anyone with a smoking habit. I also agree that there should not be any cigarette vending machines available to anyone with a couple bucks in their pockets, including the pockets of children, JT’s next generation of smokers, a very important future market. The recommendations outlined above are steps in the right direction, but baby steps in my opinion. Have the government get rid of their shares in tobacco and then you’ll see some positive changes.

]]> By: morningstar http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149337 morningstar Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:56:41 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149337 Triple the Taxes on cigarettes. When people stop smoking that is when good health habits can be passed down to children. Triple the Taxes on cigarettes. When people stop smoking that is when good health habits can be passed down to children.

]]> By: Zanibas http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149334 Zanibas Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:47:39 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149334 Right, but same goes for those commercials telling you to quit, and those warning labels on all risky items: They only act as a deterrent that will affect some. Besides, it's being called for by the department of health. Of course they're going to call on ways to deter smoking because it truly is bad for smoker's health (and those around them). However, it's true that smokers have a right to smoke (especially because it's hard to QUIT smoking), just as long as they respect those who do not (aka not smoking in front of a building entrance. Just my cent or three. Right, but same goes for those commercials telling you to quit, and those warning labels on all risky items: They only act as a deterrent that will affect some. Besides, it’s being called for by the department of health. Of course they’re going to call on ways to deter smoking because it truly is bad for smoker’s health (and those around them). However, it’s true that smokers have a right to smoke (especially because it’s hard to QUIT smoking), just as long as they respect those who do not (aka not smoking in front of a building entrance.

Just my cent or three.

]]> By: James http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149289 James Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:06:48 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149289 WOW are you people mental!?! Just because you don't agree with smoking doesn't mean you can disregard those who do... this a rights issue; not the principal of enjoying smoking...! Can you not see the precedent that this poses? If you don't like smoking, great. We live in the 21st Century? Yea, good point I think we're all well educated on the subject enough to know that it is a health risk but thats a personal decision... NOT A MORAL ONE. In the US, smokers a flat discriminated against. Is this how we have progressed as a society, just to get rid of something you don't personally agree with? Do you think raising taxes on tobacco discourages, or PUNISHES smokers?!?! What if suddenly there was awareness of how chewing gum produces litter, and as a result the price of gum was 2-3x what it actually costs? I guess you people like being influenced on what to do... especially when the government stands to profit! Nicotine is addicting? Boo-hoo it's a stimulant, stimulants are addictive; you're going to tax something to 'discourage people' yet the nature of the substance is addictive...? Sounds like a sure way to turn a profit to me! No sympathy for smokers? Well I'm glad to see that your a pretty rational bunch... Yea sure, death to non believers.You think that implementing something such as this is a step forward?!?! Glad to see that we can pay homage to the Kingdom of England by taxing those who choose to exercise their right of pursuit of happiness. WOW are you people mental!?! Just because you don’t agree with smoking doesn’t mean you can disregard those who do… this a rights issue; not the principal of enjoying smoking…! Can you not see the precedent that this poses? If you don’t like smoking, great. We live in the 21st Century? Yea, good point I think we’re all well educated on the subject enough to know that it is a health risk but thats a personal decision… NOT A MORAL ONE. In the US, smokers a flat discriminated against. Is this how we have progressed as a society, just to get rid of something you don’t personally agree with? Do you think raising taxes on tobacco discourages, or PUNISHES smokers?!?! What if suddenly there was awareness of how chewing gum produces litter, and as a result the price of gum was 2-3x what it actually costs? I guess you people like being influenced on what to do… especially when the government stands to profit! Nicotine is addicting? Boo-hoo it’s a stimulant, stimulants are addictive; you’re going to tax something to ‘discourage people’ yet the nature of the substance is addictive…? Sounds like a sure way to turn a profit to me! No sympathy for smokers? Well I’m glad to see that your a pretty rational bunch… Yea sure, death to non believers.You think that implementing something such as this is a step forward?!?! Glad to see that we can pay homage to the Kingdom of England by taxing those who choose to exercise their right of pursuit of happiness.

]]> By: ... http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149276 ... Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:27:11 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149276 <blockquote cite="Recently in my hometown the city government decided on their own, without any kind of vote from the public, that they’re extending the citywide ban on smoking in restaurants to include bars."> Good on them. How do you like inhaling second hand smoke when walking behind someone. Every time I go out somewhere, I come home smelling like cigarettes. They are annoying, and if this tax is going to get 2 million people to quit then it's not a bad thing. How many smokers do you know that are always saying they have to quit, maybe this is the kick in the ass that they need? <blockquote cite="The point is that they’re rapidly reaching a point where a non-smoker doesn’t have to be subjected to someone else’s smoke if they don’t want to. And outside of that, whose business is it if someone wants to light one up?"> It's the business of anybody they are affecting. If people want to smoke. If I want to piss, I go to the toilet.

Good on them. How do you like inhaling second hand smoke when walking behind someone. Every time I go out somewhere, I come home smelling like cigarettes. They are annoying, and if this tax is going to get 2 million people to quit then it’s not a bad thing. How many smokers do you know that are always saying they have to quit, maybe this is the kick in the ass that they need?

It’s the business of anybody they are affecting. If people want to smoke. If I want to piss, I go to the toilet.

]]> By: Crom http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149249 Crom Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:04:15 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149249 Great, take away one of the few joys a salaryman has. Seriously though, this is dumb. If you're going to levy taxes against tabacco because it's unhealthy, or because it unfairly burdens non-users with extra health insurance costs, why not create a tax on fast food? Or coffee? Or any dozens of other unhealthy things that people choose to consume? And the whole notion that Japan has to somehow catch up with other countries in smoking countermeasure points, or that this means Japan is behind the times, is absurd. Countries and cultures are different. Just because Japan still trails behind Europe and the US in smoking countermeasures or in the gap between male and female salaries doesn't necessarily mean that they're living in the dark ages or are somehow less civilized. Not every culture follows the same timeline or path as Europe or the US, you know. Frankly I'm just sick to death of these kind of heavy-handed, paternalistic policies pushed down on us from governments. Recently in my hometown the city government decided on their own, without any kind of vote from the public, that they're extending the citywide ban on smoking in restaurants to include bars. Now, I'm not a smoker and I don't like drinking in smoky bars, but there are enough non-smoking bars as it is that if someone doesn't want to inhale secondhand smoke at a bar, they don't have to. So why clamp down on people that just want to enjoy a beer and a smoke at the same time? While Japan has yet to adopt such strict policies, they've still enacted laws where people can't smoke on the street, or must smoke in a segregated area outside the station. Not only that, but there is definitely no shortage of non-smoking places to eat, or at least places with non-smoking seating. The point is that they're rapidly reaching a point where a non-smoker doesn't have to be subjected to someone else's smoke if they don't want to. And outside of that, whose business is it if someone wants to light one up? Great, take away one of the few joys a salaryman has.
Seriously though, this is dumb.
If you’re going to levy taxes against tabacco because it’s unhealthy, or because it unfairly burdens non-users with extra health insurance costs, why not create a tax on fast food?
Or coffee?
Or any dozens of other unhealthy things that people choose to consume?
And the whole notion that Japan has to somehow catch up with other countries in smoking countermeasure points, or that this means Japan is behind the times, is absurd.
Countries and cultures are different. Just because Japan still trails behind Europe and the US in smoking countermeasures or in the gap between male and female salaries doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re living in the dark ages or are somehow less civilized.
Not every culture follows the same timeline or path as Europe or the US, you know.
Frankly I’m just sick to death of these kind of heavy-handed, paternalistic policies pushed down on us from governments. Recently in my hometown the city government decided on their own, without any kind of vote from the public, that they’re extending the citywide ban on smoking in restaurants to include bars.
Now, I’m not a smoker and I don’t like drinking in smoky bars, but there are enough non-smoking bars as it is that if someone doesn’t want to inhale secondhand smoke at a bar, they don’t have to.
So why clamp down on people that just want to enjoy a beer and a smoke at the same time?
While Japan has yet to adopt such strict policies, they’ve still enacted laws where people can’t smoke on the street, or must smoke in a segregated area outside the station. Not only that, but there is definitely no shortage of non-smoking places to eat, or at least places with non-smoking seating.
The point is that they’re rapidly reaching a point where a non-smoker doesn’t have to be subjected to someone else’s smoke if they don’t want to.
And outside of that, whose business is it if someone wants to light one up?

]]> By: gargoyle1 http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149225 gargoyle1 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:33:03 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149225 Hey, better marketing than Joe Camel! (Is that the Honda insignia on her costume?) Hey, better marketing than Joe Camel! (Is that the Honda insignia on her costume?)

]]> By: Alec http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149161 Alec Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:23:48 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149161 Raise the taxes! Ban the tobacco vending machines! I have no sympathy for smokers. >_< Raise the taxes! Ban the tobacco vending machines! I have no sympathy for smokers. >_<

]]> By: The Overthinker http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149152 The Overthinker Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:03:35 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149152 Tax is 189 yen. A pack costs more. Tax is 189 yen. A pack costs more.

]]> By: Panna http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149138 Panna Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:58:49 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149138 189 yen? And the spokesmodel is a hot anime idol? Japan here I come! 189 yen? And the spokesmodel is a hot anime idol? Japan here I come!

]]> By: hadji http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149133 hadji Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:42:08 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149133 Sadly, it is amazing how much a fag during a 12 work day (plus commute) can help you scrape through a horrible existence. I expect more suicides as a result of this (welcome) measure. Sadly, it is amazing how much a fag during a 12 work day (plus commute) can help you scrape through a horrible existence.

I expect more suicides as a result of this (welcome) measure.

]]> By: Chris http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149129 Chris Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:53:07 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149129 all I want to know is: do they really have packs of cigarettes that look like this?! Marlboro Japan could lure me back into that stinky, stinky world of cigarette smoking... all I want to know is: do they really have packs of cigarettes that look like this?! Marlboro Japan could lure me back into that stinky, stinky world of cigarette smoking…

]]> By: anonymouse http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/03/05/science-council-calls-for-doubling-of-tobacco-taxes/comment-page-1/#comment-149115 anonymouse Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:08:11 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3980#comment-149115 It's about time!! Welcome to the 21st century, Japan!! It’s about time!! Welcome to the 21st century, Japan!!

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