The legal age for purchasing and smoking tobacco products in Japan is 20 years old, and underage smoking is illegal with penalties for both sellers and smokers. There has been a debate about lowering the legal age to 18, but opponents argue that it helps prevent underage smoking. Despite the legal age being 20, around 10% of Japanese high school students smoke due to peer pressure or stress. Smoking has adverse effects on health, including an increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease. The Japanese government has made efforts to reduce smoking rates among youth through campaigns, taxes, and restricting sales near schools. Parents play a crucial role in preventing their children from smoking by educating them about its harmful effects.