Smoking has been a part of Japanese culture since the 16th century, but with increasing awareness of the health risks associated with smoking, stricter regulations have been put in place to limit smoking in public places. These laws are relatively lax compared to other countries and there are still some areas where smoking is allowed. However, Tokyo began enforcing a ban on indoor smoking in restaurants, bars and other establishments that serve food or drinks for consumption on-site in 2014 which was extended nationwide by 2020. Despite these efforts to reduce smoking rates, tobacco remains an important industry in Japan with many politicians having close ties to tobacco companies. There are resources available for those looking to quit such as counseling services, online support groups, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products/prescription medications/over-the counter medications/acupuncture therapy/hypnosis therapy/lifestyle changes/support from family members & friends etc...