The impact of smoke-free workplace policies on smoking behaviour in Japan

The aim of this study is to quantify the effect of a smoke-free workplace policy on smoking decision, smokers' cigarette consumption, and smoking cessation. The data used in the analysis were gathered from the original Japanese household surveys of 2001. A two-part model was estimated for all workers during the survey period and probit model and difference-in-differences for smokers at workplaces without the smoke-free policy at the time of hiring. The results suggest that total smoking prohibition or a separation of smoking areas reduces smoking prevalence and smokers' cigarette consumption and causes smokers to quit smoking.