Most new McDonalds' outlets to ban smoking

The nation's most popular hamburger joint will ban smoking at most of its new outlets despite an anticipated loss of sales, sources said.

McDonald's Co. (Japan), the nation's largest restaurant chain, plans to replace about 30 percent of its approximately 3,500 stores nationwide over the next several years.

The plan covers mainly small restaurants with cramped kitchens. Some stores will be closed, and others relocate to nearby sites.

Smoking will be banned at new outlets, except at restaurants that draw significant numbers of smokers, such as those near train stations.

Currently, smoking is banned at about 300 outlets in Kanagawa Prefecture due to a no-smoking ordinance and at some other stores.

At most restaurants patrons may smoke in designated areas. This policy will continue.

Sales usually decline slightly when smoking is banned. Still, Eikoh Harada, president of McDonald's (Japan), said that he expects customer numbers will eventually increase.

He also said the company has a responsibility to society as the nation's largest restaurant chain.

Most restaurant chains, afraid of losing customers, retain smoking sections.

Starbucks Coffee Japan Ltd. is among a few operators that ban smoking altogether.

In February, the health ministry called for a smoking ban at facilities where people congregate, such as restaurants, hotels, hospitals and government buildings.

There are no provisions to penalize failure to implement a ban, however.

Royal Holdings Co. will renovate more than 60 percent of its 280 Royal Host family restaurants nationwide by the end of 2011.

It will scrap smoking sections at the renovated stores and ban smoking entirely.

Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan Ltd. banned smoking at a newly designed restaurant, which opened in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward in early July.