Sep. 2017
Survey of Corporate Attitude toward Smoking
22.1% of companies have implemented "entirely non-smoking,” and over 50% have "complete separation of smoking areas"
— Of those implementing entirely non-smoking, 47.6% of "restaurants” experiences a negative impact on their performance —
Introduction
Since enactment of the "WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" in February 2005, efforts for passive smoking prevention measures have expanded in the government, municipalities, and companies, etc. While the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare develops a plan to further tighten control over smoking, there are opposing opinions that control should only be moderate, etc.
Teikoku Databank has conducted a survey of corporate attitudes towards smoking. This survey was conducted in conjunction with the September 2017 TDB Trends Research.
*Survey period: September 15 - September 30, 2017; Companies Surveyed: 23,341; Valid Responses: 10,212 (Response Rate: 43.8%)
*Details of this survey can be found on the dedicated Economic Trend Survey HP. (http://www.tdb-di.com).
Primary points of survey results(summary)
- 1With respect to the smoking situation in headquarters or main business offices of companies, "complete separation of smoking areas,” which means that there are smoking areas with proper ventilation, or an outdoor smoking area is arranged, is the highest at 56.2%. "Entirely non-smoking,” which means smoking is not allowed at the company, accounts for 22.1%, or one in five companies, followed by "incomplete separation of smoking areas" (10.0%), "smoking is not particularly restricted" (7.3%), and "time system separation of smoking areas" (3.4%).
- 2 With respect to the impact of having some kind of smoking restriction in the headquarters or main business offices, companies that say the "workplace became clean" is remarkably high, at 61.2%, followed by "safety has been improved (reduced risks of fire)" (34.3%), "fairness among smokers and non-smokers has improved (smoking break while working)" (22.7%), and "it has led to improved business operations and efficiency" (11.5%), that were ranked high.
- 3 With respect to entirely non-smoking by law and regulations implemented in public facilities in future, including workplaces and stores, companies who say that will have "no impact" on their performance was the highest, at 69.3%. Those who say "positive impact" (8.0%) and "negative impact" (7.9%) comprised just under 10%.
- 4 By industry, those saying "positive impact" were high in the "education service,” "textile, textile goods, apparel manufacturing,” "electricity, gas, water, heat supply,” "temporary staffing, employment agency,” and "maintenance, security, and inspection,” etc. "Restaurants" accounts for almost half of those saying "negative impact" (47.6%), and "service" for individuals and "retail" such as "entertainment service,” "inns and hotels,” "various merchandise retail,” and "beverage retail,” etc., also ranked high.