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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Toshiyuki Ojima¹, Kazunori Kayaba², and Hiroshi Yanagawa². (1) Department of Public Health, Jichi Medical University, Yakushiji 3311-1, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan, +81-285-58-7338, ojima@jichi.ac.jp, (2) Saitama Prefectural University, San-no-miya 820, Koshigaya, Saitama, 343-8540, Japan

Background: Health promotion law has been enforced in May 2003 in Japan. It prescribes that managers of public use buildings such as schools, stores, restaurants, offices must make efforts to eliminate passive smoking. Though the law does not prescribe penalty, many buildings posted no-smoking sign after the enforcement of the law. The aim of this study is to evaluate impact for municipality policies by the health promotion law.

Methods: Mail surveys were conducted for health department of 3,251 (in 2000) municipalities such as cities, towns, and villages throughout Japan periodically in November 2000, in July 2003, and in July 2005.

Results: Response rates were 85.9% in 2000, 80.1% in 2003, and 82.7% in 2005. Proportions of municipalities that adopt smoke free policy in all public elementary and middle schools included for teachers and guests were almost 0% in 2000, 11.3% in 2003, and 45.9% in 2005. Proportions of municipalities that adopt smoke free policy or restricting smoking only at limited area in municipality offices were 63.7% in 2000, 90.4% in 2003, and 91.1% in 2005. Proportions of municipalities that provide anti-smoking education for public school children were 24.6% in 2000, 52.5% in 2003, and 69.4% in 2005.

Conclusion: Health promotion law with passive smoking regulation seems to have considerable impact for municipality policy in Japan, though not all of the changes might be due to the law.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Evaluate change of policy of municipalities after enforcement of the law in Japan
• Identify similarity and difference of anti-smoking policy between US and Japan
• Apply policy for various communities included Asian communities in US

Keywords: Tobacco Legislation, Tobacco Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered