A Tokyo ward, home to the popular tourist spot Akihabara, will start fining smokers using heat-not-burn products, or heated tobacco products, on streets from November 1.
In 2002, Chiyoda Ward enacted Japan’s first ordinance prohibiting smoking on streets and in designated parks, with penalties for violators.
Ward staff patrol the area, and when they find people smoking or littering cigarette butts on streets, they issue a fine of 2,000 yen, or roughly 13 dollars.
Until now, Chiyoda Ward has only punished smokers of traditional cigarettes. But it decided to fine users of heated tobacco products as well because of their increasing number and rising complaints from local residents.
An official in charge of the measure says there are designated smoking areas within the ward and that people should refrain from smoking outside of them.
The ward says that last year, it imposed fines on more than 5,600 smokers.