DID YOU KNOW that in many big cities in Japan, there is a complete ban on smoking not in indoor public places which is common in many western cultures but outside, on the street. Smoking on the street can incur a fine of up to 3000 yen ($30) if you are caught smoking in a no-smoking area.
Many cities have this ban on smoking but there are areas where people can smoke outside and there are smoking rooms where people may go to smoke and buy drinks and cigarettes.
To enforce these rules, teams of volunteers patrol the streets on bicycles armed with portable ashtrays who will kindly ask you to put out the cigarette in their ashtray before letting you go on your way.
Why have such a law/ rule? Well, there have been instances of children accidentally walking in a lit cigarette while passing a smoker. Also, walking and smoking features highly on a Japanese list of annoyances about smokers. Conversely, it is ok to smoke indoors in restaurants and bars.
Here are some other posters used to peruade smokers to stop smoking on the street. 
Are you allowed to smoke indoors or on the street in your country?
Leave us a Comment below or take a look at More Did You Know: Japan
