E-cigarettes and living in Japan - Japan Tobacco takes the cake.

[GrinningStudios]

So, my name is Grin, and I live in Niigata Japan. I've been a smoker for a long time and have tried 3 times to quit with limited success. My quitting usually lasts for about 6 months. To quit, I've always tried taking Champix, (Chantix,) The side effects usually force me to stop treatment after the second month of use.

I've recently (6 or so months ago) been told about e-cigarettes, and I think it is possibly a great way to help me get rid of some of the worst parts of being a smoker. Those parts being the tar filled smoke and smell. However, I was unable to find any smoke shops that sell e-cigarettes with nicotine juice. I was also told that it was possibly illegal in Japan, but have not been able to verify that.

Basically, I learned from a friend who works for Japan tobacco, that JT is pushing hard to prevent e-cigarettes becoming known, purchased or advertised in Japan. JT is pretty much owned by the Japanese Government, so this makes it even worse. I'm wondering, since I am going to the USA on the 11th of February, if I bring an e-cigarette and nicotine juice back with me, will I have a problem at customs?

Thanks for reading my long post. Cheers!
-Grin

 

[Xenocrates]

I'm sure that JT is only killing the competition until they can monopolize juice sales, much as they do cigarettes. JT announced a generic "move into smokeless markets" about the same time that Philip Morris announced they're moving into e-cigs last year.

Since it's JT, they'll probably take 26 years to reach a decision.

 

[RoseB]

Hello You might want to look into vendors from other countries who can ship to Japan. I haven't heard of e cigs being banned there, but I don't live there. If you can get imported equipment, but not e liquid you can make your own. Most likely without nicotine though.

BTW: Japan Forum

 

[Papajohns]

Japanese people are known for smoking A LOT. I'm sure the industry there is much bigger than say, US or EU. As a result, they have much more to lose if e-cigarettes become popular there, and will fight hard to prevent it.

 

[Mutescream]

This is kind of strange to me, as one of the ejuices I vape is made by a Japanese company (atmos)

 

[Requiem33]

In my travels through customs I've never had a problem. However I have not gone to Japan so I can't speak specifically for Japanese customs. As long as you are abiding by the general airline/customs protocol I don't think anyone will give you any problems. Mail order juice will be your friend.

 

[cymptom]

I've just started vaping but I haven't encountered any problems with customs yet. As for airports, you never know, but I ordered about 80 ml of juice from Mt. Baker Vapor and an iTaste MVP 2 and it was here in 8 days, no problem. I'm pretty sure e-cigs are commercially available here somewhere, though I've yet to really see them myself.

It makes sense that JT would try to prevent e-cigs from becoming well known until they can get a stranglehold on the industry, which yeah, will probably take about 25 years years like all change does here. With attitutes towards smoking here the way they are (when I say I want to quit, people sometimes ask "Why?") it's a REALLY tough place to kick the habit, so I feel you there. If you're afraid of bringing the goods on a plane, just mail order from Japan. Shipping wasn't outrageously expensive and it was pretty fast.

 

[Jazzman]

I've been told it is illegal to market or sell anything e-cig related in Japan, but it's OK to manufacture e-cig products and sell them internationally. How odd. And I thought it was getting bad in the US. At least here we are getting a foothold in the market and momentum gives us a little bit of legitimacy, but even here Big Pharma and Big Tobacco are going to make it a very tough battle. Unfortunately, one we could easily lose if we don't fight for the right to vape.

 

[Nermal]

You might check in here. It looks like you've even got the 5 posts needed to get out of the playpen.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/japan-forum/]Japan Forum

 

[TheReign]

Do you have any problems with the Yakuza? So curious with the way that works..

 

[cymptom]

Do you have any problems with the Yakuza? So curious with the way that works..

... probably not?

Do you have any problems with the mafia?

 

[Bobthebuilder]

That really annoys me hearing this about Japan
I've been skiing there twice and was a smoker both times I went, but I want to go back and the only way I could enjoy it is if I could atleast take my vape gear and juice.
I sure as hell won't be taking up cigarettes just to go back there, so unless I can hear some comforting information about taking my PV and Nic with me I think my next ski holiday will be in the US or Europe

 

[cymptom]

I highly doubt you'd have trouble bringing vape gear. Can't say 100%, but I'm certain enough that I wouldn't be nervous to try it myself.

Sent from my ISW13HT using Tapatalk

 

[Flt Simulation]

My son lives in Osaka and has stopped smoking and replaced the cigarettes with nicotine e-cigs.

He has never seen e-cig items available in stores in Osaka and told me that the sale of nicotine e-cig liquid is outlawed for sale in Japan.

So, he orders all his e-cig stuff (to include the nicotine liquid) from China. It's cheap and is delivered right to his apartment in Osaka ... no problem!
_____________________

In fact, he is the one that talked me into throwing away the cigarettes and start vaping flavored nicotine liquid (juice) as an alternative.

 

[GrinningStudios]

Thanks for all the responses everyone. Now that I am out of the "playpen" as Nermal puts it, I will post in the Japan forum. But yeah, great encouragement and information from all of you.

TheReign:
Do you have any problems with the Yakuza? So curious with the way that works..

I have met some Yakuza. I guess I have never presented as a profitable target to them, because they have not bothered me. Though, one bar I used to go to often years ago in Chiba, had a Yakuza team that would come in, buy me drinks and demand that I sit with them and enjoy conversation (entertain them.) Hey, they were buying, and I was friends with the owner - We visited the various Local Hotsprings together - so, I thought it best to just do as they ask.

Currently, I have suspicions of Yakuza involvement with one of my neighbors, but he is so low key, and friendly in the neighborhood, I highly doubt he will cause trouble for me and my business. I don't think Yakuza bosses allow their neighbors to be harassed. It looks bad on them. So, I guess if you want to be safe living in Japan, buy a house near a Yakuza Boss, or something.