Japanese Smokers Turn to Heated Tobacco Products

Sep.14.2022
Japanese Smokers Turn to Heated Tobacco Products
Heated tobacco products led to a 34% drop in cigarette sales in Japan, according to a recent study by Frost & Sullivan and tobacco company Philip Morris International. Nico tine replacement therapies were less effective. HTP regulation in Japan is more relaxed than traditional cigarettes.

Kumamaru Hirotani, the vice director of Aoi Hospital in Kawasaki, stated that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as nicotine patches, did not produce the expected results. However, since the introduction of heated tobacco products (HTP) locally, smoking rates have significantly decreased.


In summary, they did not see great success with nicotine replacement therapies. However, since 2014, three heated tobacco products have been officially introduced nationwide in Japan and have penetrated 25% of the total smoking population. As a result, the smoking rate in Japan has successfully decreased over the past three to four years, according to Hiroya in a recent online seminar.


Research Shows That Heating Tobacco Products Decreases Cigarette Sales by 34%


Frost & Sullivan recently collaborated with tobacco company Philip Morris International (PMI) to publish a paper titled "Reducing Tobacco Harms and Novel Nicotine and Tobacco Products: Evidence from the Japanese Market". The paper reflects their argument that the introduction of HTP has led to a 34% decrease in cigarette sales.


The commercial viability of Japanese HTP is strongly linked to the significant decline in traditional cigarette sales, surpassing previous rates of decline. Furthermore, even with the introduction of heated tobacco products, all tobacco products (both heated tobacco and traditional cigarettes) continue to experience a decrease in sales. While evidence is mixed, data from the 2019 National Health Survey suggests that 76% of consumers only use heated tobacco products, with only 24% of HTP users maintaining dual use," stated Mark Dougan, Healthcare Consulting Director at Frost & Sullivan.


According to him, the Japanese government distinguishes HTP from traditional cigarettes in terms of tax, health warnings, and indoor usage restrictions, and the regulatory framework for heated tobacco products is usually more lenient than for traditional cigarettes.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the viewpoint of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of the article. The compilation of this article is solely intended for industry exchange and research.


Due to limitations in the compiling ability, the translated article may not fully express the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS remains completely aligned with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or international statements and positions.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

Seoul to Fine Use of Liquid E-Cigarettes in No-Smoking Areas From April 24
Seoul to Fine Use of Liquid E-Cigarettes in No-Smoking Areas From April 24
Seoul will begin fining the use of all tobacco products, including liquid e-cigarettes, in no-smoking areas from April 24, when the revised Tobacco Business Act takes effect.
Apr.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Bangladesh High Court rule targets vape-ban clause; fines up to about $1,635 cited
Bangladesh High Court rule targets vape-ban clause; fines up to about $1,635 cited
Bangladesh’s High Court issued a rule asking why Section 6(G) of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 — which bans the import, supply and sale of vapes and e-cigarettes — should not be declared unconstitutional and illegal.
Mar.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Illegal Trade in Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Continues to Rise in Germany, BVTE and BDZ Call for Enforceable Regulation
Illegal Trade in Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Continues to Rise in Germany, BVTE and BDZ Call for Enforceable Regulation
BVTE and BDZ said at a joint press conference in Berlin on March 10 that illegal trade in tobacco products, e-cigarettes and other nicotine products continues to grow in Germany, posing challenges to the rule of law, youth protection, consumer protection and state fiscal authority. The groups said there is still no reliable overall statistic for the illegal trade in tobacco products, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and oral nicotine products.
Mar.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
OLAF and Customs Authorities From 30 Countries Seize More Than 94 Million Illicit Vape and Heated Tobacco Items
OLAF and Customs Authorities From 30 Countries Seize More Than 94 Million Illicit Vape and Heated Tobacco Items
The European Anti-Fraud Office said on April 17 that its “JCO VAPE” operation, carried out together with customs authorities from 30 countries, successfully targeted the illicit trade in e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The operation, conducted from November 14 to December 15, 2025, resulted in seizures of more than 94 million items and more than 2,500 kg/l of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, devices, and related goods.
Apr.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Australian Border Force Deputy Commissioner Meets China Tobacco Regulator as Illicit Tobacco Enforcement Intensifies
Australian Border Force Deputy Commissioner Meets China Tobacco Regulator as Illicit Tobacco Enforcement Intensifies
ABF Deputy Commissioner Tim Fitzgerald visited Beijing for talks with China’s STMA. The meeting follows several exchanges between Australian enforcement agencies and China’s tobacco regulator in recent years. The discussions come as Australia intensifies efforts to combat illicit tobacco and vaping products, including large seizures at the border, while the country’s strict tobacco and vape policies continue to spark debate over their impact on the growth of black markets.
Mar.09
Exclusive | Shenzhen Tobacco Authorities Ask Licensed Chinese Vape Manufacturers to Submit STN Details for U.S.-Bound Products
Exclusive | Shenzhen Tobacco Authorities Ask Licensed Chinese Vape Manufacturers to Submit STN Details for U.S.-Bound Products
Shenzhen tobacco authorities have asked licensed Chinese vape manufacturers to submit STN details for U.S.-bound products, including CTP Portal or STN email screenshots, highlighting a new compliance signal in cross-border oversight.
Apr.02