“I want to rent a car in Japan, but I wonder if it’s okay to smoke inside the car.”
“I’m not a fan of the smell of cigarettes, so I want to rent a non-smoking car.”
If you’re visiting a country for the first time, concerns about smoking can be important. Especially when renting a car for an extended period, non-smokers wouldn’t want to ride in a car that smells of smoke, while smokers wouldn’t want to use a non-smoking vehicle. This article will explain whether you can smoke in rental cars in Japan and outline some smoking-related rules in the country.
Rental Cars in Japan Are Generally Non-Smoking
Most rental cars owned by rental companies in Japan are now non-smoking. This is due to the growing demand for smoke-free vehicles, influenced by recent public health legislation. While some companies do provide smoking vehicles, these are usually limited to certain types, such as commercial vehicles. If you smoke in a non-smoking car, you may face penalties such as fines or being banned from renting vehicles, making the situation quite strict for smokers.
Not only rental cars, but restaurants and public facilities in Japan have also increasingly adopted no-smoking policies. This is largely due to the amended Health Promotion Act, which came into effect in April 2020, and passive smoking prevention ordinances. With smoking rates among adults declining, the demand for smoke-free environments continues to grow in Japanese society.
Are Heated Tobacco Products Allowed?
Even smoking heated tobacco products like IQOS, which emit less odor, should be avoided in rental cars. Regardless of whether the odor escapes or not, heated tobacco products are classified as “tobacco” under the law. While heated or electronic cigarettes produce less smell and smoke compared to traditional cigarettes, smoking them in a non-smoking vehicle will still leave residual odors. Additionally, some rental car companies include specific warnings against using electronic or heated tobacco products.
Smoking Can Be Detected Even with the Window Open
Even for a short time or with the window open, smoking inside a rental car is highly likely to be detected by the rental company. You may think, “A little won’t hurt,” but the smell of tobacco permeates the car’s seats, ceiling, doors, and other surfaces, making it difficult to remove. Forgetting to dispose of cigarette butts can also reveal that smoking occurred, so avoid smoking in non-smoking vehicles altogether.
Penalties for Smoking in Non-Smoking Vehicles
Most rental car companies have rules requiring customers to pay compensation fees or downtime fees if smoking is detected in a non-smoking vehicle. These fees range from ¥20,000 to ¥300,000, depending on the rental company.
Are All ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car Vehicles Non-Smoking?
At ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car, all of our vehicles are non-smoking by default. Smoking inside the vehicle is strictly prohibited.
Additionally, we do not deodorize and convert vehicles into non-smoking ones after smoking, so non-smokers can rent our cars with confidence.
However, as ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car specializes in long-term rentals, we can arrange for a smoking vehicle if reservations are made at least one month in advance. Please feel free to consult with us.
Are There Fines for Smoking on the Streets?
While smoking inside rental cars is prohibited, recent years have seen stricter regulations on street smoking in Japan. To prevent smoking in public areas, many municipalities across the country have enacted ordinances to regulate street smoking. These ordinances prohibit actions such as smoking outside designated smoking areas, smoking while walking, and littering cigarette butts. In some areas, violations can result in fines of up to ¥20,000, so please be mindful.
Restaurants Are Also Smoke-Free
With the implementation of the amended Health Promotion Act on April 1, 2020, smoking indoors in restaurants is now prohibited in principle. However, establishments that meet certain conditions may allow smoking or provide designated smoking rooms.
Public Transportation Is Completely Smoke-Free
Since the enactment of the Health Promotion Act in 2003, smoking has been banned on public transportation, including trains, buses, and taxis. This prohibition extends to inside vehicles, as well as train platforms and waiting rooms.
Where Can You Smoke in Japan?
“Trains and buses are non-smoking, restaurants are non-smoking, and even the streets are non-smoking. So where can you smoke in Japan?”
With the current regulations making indoor smoking prohibited in principle, smoking is only allowed in certified “smoking rooms” and designated outdoor smoking areas.
A few years ago, ashtrays could be found near train stations, at store entrances, and outside convenience stores, making it easy to smoke. However, their numbers have drastically decreased in recent years. Particularly in the Tokyo metropolitan area, stricter measures against secondhand smoke were implemented around the time of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, leading to the closure of many public outdoor smoking areas near stations, plazas, and other locations.
As a result, the remaining smoking areas are often overcrowded, packed with smokers.
Summary
As explained in this article, it is no longer possible to freely smoke in Japan.
Therefore, for smokers, it is recommended to rent a smoking-allowed car where you can smoke freely inside the vehicle.
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