Briefly: Smoking ban eyed across Kanagawa

YOKOHAMA--Kanagawa Prefecture has drafted a plan to enact an ordinance by next March to ban smoking at restaurants, pachinko parlors and all other public places.

The ban will also cover train stations, schools, hospitals, theaters and mah-jongg parlors.

Visitors and operators will both be obliged to ensure the places are smoke-free. Violations could result in inspections, instructions and eventual punishment.

The ordinance is one of Governor Shigefumi Matsuzawa's 2007 election pledges. (IHT/Asahi: April 17,2008)