The organising committee for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo has announced that all venues will be smoke-free for the duration of the events.
The ban extends to heated tobacco products and other vaping devices. The move will make Tokyo 2020 the first summer Olympics to issue a complete ban on smoking anywhere on venue grounds.
Tokyo 2020 noted that smoking areas were provided around the outside of indoor competition venues during the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games. Smoking was, however, not permitted inside indoor competition venues during these Games.
From April 1, 2020, an amendment to Japan’s Health Promotion Law, as well as Tokyo’s new regulations to reduce the incidence of passive smoking, will be fully enacted.
Tokyo 2020 said it has taken the strict approach based on the development of the law and regulations and guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The move is designed to protect the health and safety of athletes, spectators and officials.
Smoking will be banned at indoor venues, outdoor venues and in venues’ secure perimeters operated by Tokyo 2020. A similar policy was in place during the 2018 winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Share this