A survey of more than 20,000 Japanese people found that smoking has been on the decline for a consecutive 15 years, with this year also marking the lowest smoking rate for the country since data began to be collected in 1965.

Factors such as increased health awareness, an older population, and stricter smoking regulations have contributed to this encouraging trend toward greater health in Japan.

Meanwhile, in Finland, President Tarja Halonen approved a new tobacco ban on Friday, August 20 designed to eventually ban all smoking in the country.

Health Ministry Secretary Ilkka Oksala said, “The goal is to get rid of smoking once and for all.
It is a long-term goal, but still we are going to achieve it. Of course, this would mean the end of the tobacco industry if all the countries in the world took the same kind of steps as we are.”

What wonderful news for the health of the Japanese and Finnish people and clean air for their countries! Congratulations Japan, President Halonen and Finland for your achievements and continued aspirations as we pray that such developments expand worldwide so that all nations  are soon smoke-free.

http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/17_03.html
http://www.automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/11085/japan039s-smoking-population-drops-to-record-
low-_-survey
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-08/21/c_13455063.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8459947.stm