Current situation of the regulations on tobacco advertisement, promotion and physical sales in Japan, China, and South Korea
| Theme | Japan | China | Korea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertisement | Voluntary restrictions on product advertisement on TV, radio, public transportations and outdoor boards Corporate advertisements on TV, product advertisements on adult magazines are still unrestricted and prevalent | Legal ban on product advertisement on TV, radio, movies, newspapers, magazines, gyms etc. | Legal ban on product advertisement on TV, radio, newspapers and magazines Bans on corporate advertisement on TV and radio upheld by court Voluntary restrictions on smoking scenes on TV dramas The number of product advertisements in adult magazines are restricted by annual frequency (eg, under 10 times per year) |
| Promotion or sponsorship | Sponsorship for sports and social activities (eg, a professional volleyball team and a Japanese chess tournament) are unrestricted and prevalent | Sponsorships for social activities (eg, elementary school) are still unrestricted and prevalent | Corporate sponsorship for social, cultural, musical, sports activities (eg, elementary schools sponsored by the tobacco industry) are still unrestricted and prevalent |
| Physical sales | Sales to minors are legally prohibited (under age 20) Vending machines are restricted based on proximity to nearby retailers, but are prevalent nationwide Minors’ access to vending machines is restricted by an identification card (TASPO), but its misuse has been reported No restriction on retailers’ proximity to schools | Sales to minors are legally prohibited (under age 18) Vending machines are prohibited Retailers’ proximity to schools is restricted | Sales to minors are legally prohibited (under age 19) Vending machines are restricted by proximity to nearby retailers Minors’ access to vending machines is restricted by an identification card No restriction on retailers’ proximity to schools |