It has been very interesting to read articles and view points by Dr Dennis Raphael. The issue he raised on the above subject relates to the social determinants of health. In this instance, the income level and social class of Japanese citizens. I think there must be other positive confounding factors, either their social environment or biological make-up, that "nullifies" the toxic effects of smoking (e.g. high fish diet, etc.) It surprises me to see smokers buying cigarettes in front of a very obvious warning notice that smoking kills - here in Australia (and perhaps many parts of the world). How could intelligent and literate people ignore such health warnings? I would be very interested to hear of some community banning smoking altogether and classifying it on the same category as other illegal drugs. Sounds very drastic and undemocratic but it could be an opening to controlling the smoking epidemic in society. Josaia Samuela