The smoking policies of JR-Tokai and JR-West Companies are against the current world
anti-smoking measures, and support smokers to put a cigarette in a railway carriage.


A smoking room is provided in each high-speed train of JR-Tokai and JR -West.

(L) The entrance to the smoking vehicle ( First Class ): This picture was taken in June 2012.
(R) A smoking scene in a smoking vehicle of a bullet train operated by JR-Tokai and JR-West
was up in YouTube by Anthony Leong.

The standard composition of JR-Tokai and JR-West Shinkansen train:
Car No. 10, 15 and 16 are smoking car.No. 10 is a first-class vehicle.


JR Tokai launches new N700A bullet train.

Operation of the N700A shinkansen, the first new bullet train developed by JR-Tokai in roughly
six years, began on Feb. 8 2013, with crowds of railway fans turning up to see the train off
at departure ceremonies in Tokyo and Osaka. Its external appearance is practically the same
at that of the N700 bullet train and has the equal maximum speed of 270 kilometers per hour.
However, the new model has a braking system that kicks in during power cuts caused by
earthquakes and other events, and the distance it takes the train to come to a stop has been
reduced by 10 percent. N700A is controlled by a computer through use of an automatic train
control system, with a "constant speed controller" enabling the train to quickly recovering
the delays, which is the first system of its kind in a bullet train in Japan. The new model also
has safety enhancements with a system to detect abnormal vibration and prevent accidents.
We're proud to have the best and latest carriages," said Seki, chief of JR Tokai's bullet train
operations division, at a ceremony before the departure. "Half a century has passed since
the birth of the Tokaido Shinkansen. We have served as one of Japan's main arteries, and want
to continue providing the world's highest standard of transportation services.
Reference: The Mainichi, February 8, 2013

However, JR-Tokai neglected the world's trend to abolish smoking room in a railway train. JR-Tokai,
JR-West and some other railway companied in Kansai district still provide a smoking car, in which
smoking is allowed in a train seat, or smoking booth in a train. This is harmful to a train passenger
and against to the health policy. Unfortunately, Japanese Government and a local prefecture
do not control the undesirable policy of these railway companies. I think that Japanese technology
is one of the highest standards throughout the world, although the way of thinking about smoking
control is entirely devoid of good sense or judgment, compared to the advanced countries.
The article was written by Junhaku Miyamoto, M.D.,PhD, on February 8, 2013.

All Shinkansen train stations between Tokyo and Osaka will have an enclosed
smoking rooms

JR Tokai, Central Japan Railway Company announced on Ferruary 15, 2013, it would abolish
open air smoking areas on the platforms of all 17 stations between Tokyo and Osaka.
It would build an enclosed smoking room on platforms or other alternative sites at all of
the stations, excluding Tokyo and Nagoya, which already have such facilities. Under
460 million-yen project, all outdoor areas of the shinkansen stations are expected to be
smoke-free by the spring of 2014.
Source: Kyodo, Tokyo, February 15, 2012

An enclosed smoking room is not the solution for the adverse effects of
tobacco-smoke.

JR Tokai announced that it would abolish open air smoking areas and built an enclosed
smoking room on platforms or other alternative sites at all the shinkansen stations.
However, this is not the good solution to avoid the toxic influences of tobacco products.
Two side effects exist when a person put light on cigarette. The one is the second-hand
smoking. The other is the third-hand smoking.　

The residue on clothing, wallpaper can react with a common indoor pollutant to generate
dangerous chemicals called tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA). Substantial traces of
TSNA was also found on the inside surfaces of a smoking room packed with a heavy smoker.
Smokers themselves are also contaminated. Smokers actually emit toxins from clothing
and hair. Researchers say the third-hand-smoke is a health hazard, and suggest
a complete ban on smoking in the enclosed places to eliminate any risk. Nicotine residues
from a tobacco-smoke hang around for weeks or months.


An information guide of smoking rooms in the train of JR Tokai super-express train

How to avoid a toxic side-smoke leaked from a smoking room provide by JR Tokai, JR West
and Kintetsu Express trains:
For example, when smoking booth is provided in the carriages of No.3 and No.7, it is strongly to
advise a non-smoking passenger to take a reserved ticket for No.5-carriage, to eliminate any kind of health damage.

JR's N700 high-speed train provides a smoking room.
The smoking room in the train infringes the health of the passengers.
Kinki-Nippon Railway Company claims the necessity of installing the room for smokers in all express trains.
The smoking room in the train adversely affects the health of the passengers.

Three major Japanese railway companies think that the smoking car and/or smoking booth
in a train are the superb service to train passengers.
東海道・山陽新幹線列車・近鉄特急喫煙ルーム
JR-East Railway
Kinki-Nippon Railway company still operates smoking vehicles.
The railway company leading a passenger to health damage

I have traveled over many countries using a train, in Canada, US, India, Thailand, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and European countries; however, nowadays, I have never experienced to hear the announcement of to guide a smoking room or booth in a train. This kind of guidance might be all train passengers to recognize the need of smoking space in a train, and for smokers, inhibit the feeling not to smoke for a while. As a result, it might work as promoting a smoking during his train trip until he arrives at the destination. In 2017, 50 countries, including the above-mentioned countries, allows smoking inside of the train. Japanese government should restrict such a smoking in a train by law. Otherwise, it will put our people in Japan shamed at the coming 2020 Olympic game. Junhaku Miymoto, M.D.,PhD. 　Announcement in a train with smoking booth of JR's Tokaido-Shinkansen super-express Cars 1, 2 and 3 are for the passengers without seat reservations. Smoking is not allowed on this train except in the designated smoking rooms located in cars 3, 7 and 15. The smoking room in car No.10 is for the passengers in the Green Cars. Please refrain from smoking in the train,  including areas at either end of the cars.

When I was on the Shinkansen platform at Kyoto JR Station, I heard a loud announce voice echoing
in the ears just before the train entering to the station; smoking rooms are located at the Car3, Car7,
Car15 for regular vehicles, and Car10 for a Green Car (first-class). A loud announcement for smoking
facilities of the Shinkansen trains coming to the Kyoyo Station, which is the representative of Japan's
old capital railway station would make the tourists from abroad might feel uncomfortable! Such an
excessive support of smoking behavior leads Japan as a country preferential to a smoker, and it counters
the positive impression of Kyoto.
Junhaku Miyamoto, M.D.,PhD. November 2017

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Travel by Train
All railway trains should be completely smoke -free.

　Italia Rail: Trenitalia
　Rail Travel Ireland
　NZ Rail: Tranz Alpine/Scenic
　Brief Journey by Australian Rail
　Amtrak Acela Express: Boston-Newyork
　Washington DC Metro/Union Station
　Chicago CTA Rail
　Miami Metro Rail

　Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Express
　Stockholm County Railways
　X2000:Stockholm-Copenhagen Express
　Greater Copenhagen Railways
　Paris Rail Terminals
　Paris Metro-RER-Tram
　Railways in Helsinki, Finland

　Korea Train Express, Airport Express and Metro
　Bangkok Mass Transit/Thai Railways
　Indian Railway
　Dehli Metro
　Taiwan High-Speed Rail
　China High-Speed Rail

　Portugal Metro, Railways
　Amsterdam Rail
　High-speed train in Spain 2010
　Barcelona Railways

　Railway Travel in France 2011
　Railway Travel in Germany 2011
　Vancouver Skytrain
　Edomonton Metro
　VIA train, Vancouver to Jasper
　Alaskan Railroad

　Amtrak: Seattle to Glacier National Park
　Airport Express and MTR, Hong Kong
　San Francisco: cable-car, tram and Bart
　High-speed train in Germany, Austria and Switzerland 2013

　Moscow Metro
　Saint Petersburg Metro
　Sapsan, high-speed train of Russia
　Allegro, high-speed train between Finland and Russia

　Alaskan Railroad
　Railways connecting Canberra and Sydney, Australia
　Gold Coast Light-Rail
　Train in Norway, Trondheim to Oslo

　Narita Airport-City Rail Service
　Japanese high-speed train 'Hayabusa'
　Japanese high-speed train 'Super-Komachi'
Total smoking ban in the railway trains is the common sense of the world.

　All high-speed trains in China are smoke-free.

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Trains
Olympic Games and a restriction of smoking in a train by the host countries

1948	XIV	London (UK)
1952	XV	Helsinki（Finland）　　　　　　　　　　　 Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1956	XVI	Melbourne （Australia）　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train. Stickholm（Sweden）　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1960	XVII	Roma（Italy）　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1964	XVIII	Tokyo（Japan）　　　　　 Smoking is allowed in a train.
1968	XIX	Mexico City（Mexico）　　　　　　　　 　Inadequate information
1972	XX	Munich（West Germany）　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1976	XXI	Montral（Canada）　　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1980	XXII	Moscow（Soviet Union）　　　　　 　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1984	XXIII	Los Angeles（United States）　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1988	XXIV	Seoul（Korea）　　　　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1992	XXV	Barcelona（Spain）　　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1994	Lillehammer（Norway）　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1996	XXVI	Atlanta（United State）　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
1998	Nagano（Japan） 　　　　　 　　　　　 Smoking is allowed in a train.
2000	XXVII	Sydney（Australia）　　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2002	Salt Lake City（United State）　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2004	XXVIII	Athenes（Greece）　　　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2006	Turin（Italy）　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2008	XXIX	Beijing（China）　　　　　 　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2010	Vancouver（Canada）　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2012	XXX	London（UK）　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2014	Sochi（Russia）　　　　　　　　　　　 　 Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2016	XXXI	Rio de Janeiro（Brazil）　　　　　　　　　　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2018	Pyengchang County（Korea）　　　　　　 Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2020	XXXII	Tokyo（Japan）　　　　　　　　　 　Smoking is allowed in a train.
2022	Beijing（China）　　　　　　　　　　　 　Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2024	XXXII	Paris（France）　　　　　　　 　 　 Smoking is prohibited in a train.
2028	XXVIIII	Los Angeles（USA）　　　　　　　　　　　 Smoking is prohibited in a train.

★This table shows the smoking ban in a train at the Olympic host countries in and after July 2014.
China Government charges 2,000 Yuan for a violation of smoking restriction in a high-speed train.
In UK, a penalty of the maximum 200 pounds is applied for a smoking at a smoke-free designated vehicle.
Japanese Government admit to installing a smoking booth in a train to support smoking act.

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Beware of Third-Hand Smoke

Japan's effort to curb exposure to secondhand smoke is one of the worst in the world.
Health Ministry 2016
Smoke free should be the minimum standard for the host city of the Olympics.
Olympic healthy sports environment is frustrating.
You have to select carefully restaurants in which smoking is prohibited.

日本語

完全分煙を導入して喫煙害を排除したと考える愚かなJR東海とJR西日本
「禁煙席ネット」主宰　日本タバコフリー学会顧問　医学博士 宮本順伯
★This Web site is link-free.
The article was written in July 2007, and last revised in November 2017, by Junhaku Miyamoto, M.D., PhD.
Information was added in June 2020.