Tobacco control.

Byline: Taseer Ali-Islamabad

Japan, which was once considered a smoker's paradise and ranked among the least protected countries because of tobacco usage, is now on track to become smoke-free. The country has seen a sharp decline in smoking prevalence over the years. It makes one wonder how it has brought about such a drastic yet delightful change.

The Japanese government adopted innovative tobacco control strategies, introduced reduced-risk products and increased consumer awareness to encourage people to stop smoking traditional cigarettes in favour of some less-harmful options.

While the sale of cigarettes was already declining in Japan after 2011, it picked up pace manifold from 2016 onwards which was also the time when heated tobacco products were introduced.

These devices...