But majority still want to quit, according to survey
Nearly three in four employees in Japan have plans to quit smoking in the future, but they admitt that smoking has benefits when they're at work, according to reports.
Nippon reported on a new study from Tokyo-based Clinic For that surveyed 521 smokers in Japan.
It found that 73% are planning to quit smoking, with 53% citing its financial costs and 44% attributing it to the scent of their clothes and house.
Despite the desire to stop smoking, employees in the survey pointed out that the practice have benefits at work, mostly when discussing work-related matters (37%).
Other employees said it smoking makes it easier to switch in and out of work mode (32%) and it reduces work stress (29%), according to the report.
Further work-related benefits they gain from smoking include having good relations outside of usual company connections and positions and getting help with changing jobs or getting a promotion.
In Japan, the government in 2020 began mandating businesses that allow indoor smoking to install separate spaces for smokers, reported The Japan Times.
As of 2022, smoking rates in the country have been declining, with male smoking rate down to 25.4% and female smoking rate down to 7.7%, according to figures from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.
