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2006 Winter Survey

Japanese Reactions to the "Smoke-Free Hawaii" Law

Aloha street surveyed its readers to find out the opinions of our Japanese visitors, smokers and non-smokers alike, regarding Hawaii's new smoking law which went into effect on November 16. Local media have reported local businesses' reactions to the new law, but did not address its possible impact on Hawaii's travel industry. Although the widespread trend is towards non-smoking, Japan is still a country that is, for the most part, tolerant of its smokers. Thus, Japanese media considers the "smoke-free Hawaii" law a hot topic.

More than half (55%) of the respondents are non-smokers, Twenty five percent are smokers who smoke approximately 11 to 20 cigarettes per day. During their Hawaii trip, smokers said that they smoked only slightly less than they normally do.

More than 90% of the respondents knew about Hawaii's new law, which will have an impact on the visitors' choice of hotels. The main source of information was the internet.

Japanese smokers had the most difficult time refraining from smoking during the plane ride. We also found that they are considerate of where they smoke and how they dispose of their cigarette butts.

Non-smokers welcome the law and want a similar type of law in Japan. In contrast, smokers think it is too strict, with half of them saying it will keep them from visiting Hawaii.

Visitors ask for clearly marked smoking and non-smoking areas to avoid confusion and unexpected fines. Many hope for a fair enforcement of the law otherwise no one will abide by it.

Besides the non-smoking law, the issues that the Japanese visitors were most dismayed with were drug problems and the practice of including tips in their bills without their approval (an on-going complaint).

Selected comments

As a smoker, I am bothered by not knowing where I can and cannot smoke. Can we have some kind of map which shows smoking areas?

Even in Japan, it’s a popular trend. I am getting used to not smelling smoke in the streets and buildings; I want to breathe fresh air in Hawaii.

When I asked the local people in Hawaii where I was permitted to smoke, they were confused and did not know.

I think the law is wonderful. Tobacco is harmful and serves no benefit. In my prefecture, non-smoking legislation has also passed. However, that’s only a limited region. I want the law to be extensive and worldwide.

I don’t smoke but the hotels that prohibit smoking entirely are too strict. People come to Hawaii to relax and smoking should at least be allowed on the lanai.

I requested a smoking room in Hawaii and was surprised when the hotel added an additional $65.00 per night charge. So I had to find a different hotel.

I have asthma so I was happy to have the law pass. In Hawaii I was very comfortable in the buildings. But the areas where people were allowed to smoke were smokier than before. I don’t feel the law is really making a difference.

We had no fair warning from the hotel when the new law went into effect. We were just given a slip of paper with no explanation. My traveling companions, who are smokers, have seriously thought of not coming back to Hawaii.

< All original comments (in Japanese) are posted as a pdf file at Japanese site.