Will Japan’s Cigarette Vending Machines Soon Fade Away?

You can still find public cigarette vending machines here and there in Japan. But an upcoming change could drive many into extinction.

By Jay Allen

You don’t see them everywhere but they’re still around. Japan is still home to a large number of cigarette vending machines. But they’re dwindling quickly — and the end of Japan’s “tobacco pass” could further hasten their demise.

The death of smoking in Japan?

A sign in Nishishinjuku that forbids outdoor smoking. (Photo by the author)

Once upon a time, smoking was all the rage in Japan — particularly among men. According to the site Health Net, smoking among men reached its peak in 1966 (Showa 41), with 83.7% of men proudly confessing to the habit. By contrast, only around 15% of women smoked.

How times have changed. By 2018, only 27.8% of men still smoked. Smoking among women was down to a low 8%. Among 20-year-olds, those numbers are even lower — 23.3% and 6.6%, respectively.

What changed? Surely, greater awareness of smoking’s ill effects helped spur people to quit. But…