Nagase ChemteX to Implement Total Ban on Paper Cigarettes Across All Domestic Sites Starting World No Tobacco Day, May 31, 2026
Nagase ChemteX will prohibit paper cigarettes at all domestic business sites starting June 1, 2026, to mitigate fire risks and prevent passive smoking.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 11:42 (10 min after Collected)
## Ensuring Safety in Chemical Plants
Completely eliminating paper cigarettes, which involve 'open flames' that pose high fire risks, from all domestic business sites.
## Preventing Passive and Third-Hand Smoke for Cleaning Staff
To protect the health of cleaning staff, the management of smoking rooms has been changed to require 'users to handle their own cleaning and cigarette butt disposal.'
## Providing Proactive Support for Smoking Cessation
While allowing a transitional period for heated and electronic cigarettes, the company aims for a complete smoking ban by offering incentive-based smoking cessation challenges and free online smoking cessation programs.
Nagase ChemteX Corporation, marking World No Tobacco Day established by the WHO on May 31, 2026, will implement a total ban on paper cigarettes in all smoking rooms at its domestic business sites (Harima, Okayama, and Fukui) effective Monday, June 1.
As a company certified under the 'Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program 2026 (Large Corporation Category),' we have introduced this measure to protect employee health and mitigate the specific fire risks associated with chemical plants.
1. Eliminating fire risks by banning paper cigarettes
Paper cigarettes will be banned without exception at all domestic business sites.
2. Protecting cleaning staff from passive smoking and ensuring self-disposal of cigarette butts
To prevent passive and third-hand smoke, company-led cleaning of smoking rooms will be abolished. Employees are required to carry away their own cigarette butts.
3. Consideration for the local community (ban on smoking off-premises)
Smoking is strictly prohibited for all employees and visitors on roads surrounding business sites and in company parking lots.
4. Proactive smoking cessation support
We provide support to employees wishing to quit, including an incentive-based smoking challenge, a free online smoking cessation program, and 'No-Smoking School' sessions.
Completely eliminating paper cigarettes, which involve 'open flames' that pose high fire risks, from all domestic business sites.
## Preventing Passive and Third-Hand Smoke for Cleaning Staff
To protect the health of cleaning staff, the management of smoking rooms has been changed to require 'users to handle their own cleaning and cigarette butt disposal.'
## Providing Proactive Support for Smoking Cessation
While allowing a transitional period for heated and electronic cigarettes, the company aims for a complete smoking ban by offering incentive-based smoking cessation challenges and free online smoking cessation programs.
Nagase ChemteX Corporation, marking World No Tobacco Day established by the WHO on May 31, 2026, will implement a total ban on paper cigarettes in all smoking rooms at its domestic business sites (Harima, Okayama, and Fukui) effective Monday, June 1.
As a company certified under the 'Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program 2026 (Large Corporation Category),' we have introduced this measure to protect employee health and mitigate the specific fire risks associated with chemical plants.
1. Eliminating fire risks by banning paper cigarettes
Paper cigarettes will be banned without exception at all domestic business sites.
2. Protecting cleaning staff from passive smoking and ensuring self-disposal of cigarette butts
To prevent passive and third-hand smoke, company-led cleaning of smoking rooms will be abolished. Employees are required to carry away their own cigarette butts.
3. Consideration for the local community (ban on smoking off-premises)
Smoking is strictly prohibited for all employees and visitors on roads surrounding business sites and in company parking lots.
4. Proactive smoking cessation support
We provide support to employees wishing to quit, including an incentive-based smoking challenge, a free online smoking cessation program, and 'No-Smoking School' sessions.
FAQ
Why is Nagase ChemteX banning paper cigarettes?
To physically eliminate fire risks in chemical plants and protect the health of employees and cleaning staff.
Are heated cigarettes allowed?
Yes, the use of heated and electronic cigarettes is permitted only in designated smoking rooms.
Are there measures to protect cleaning staff?
Yes, to prevent passive and third-hand smoke, cleaning services by the company have been abolished, requiring users to handle and carry away their own cigarette butts.