Tobacco Company Gives Gold Bars, TV Sets To Smokers As Reward

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AS fewer and fewer people light up in Japan, the nation's sole tobacco producer is to offer gold bars, top-brand television sets and a movie preview for smokers in a campaign starting next month.

One lucky smoker stands to win five kilograms of gold bars worth eight million yen ($95,800) as part of the "Smart Smoke" drive for reduced-odor cigarettes launched by formerly state-run Japan Tobacco (JT).

Also up for grabs are 26-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) television screens for 100 smokers.

"We want more people to know about our reduced-odor products," company spokesman Kei Koro said.

Applicants should answer a simple question about decreased-odor products and check a box confirming they are smokers on special postcards provided by the company.

When using ordinary postcards, applicants must write down "I am a smoker".

JT will also hold a smoker-friendly preview of Sin City, an American action film based on Frank Miller's novel series and featuring Bruce Willis and Mickey Rourke, on September 19 in Tokyo, inviting 75 couples.

The company wants to "provide smokers with an opportunity to enjoy a movie" as it has become increasingly difficult to puff in public places, the spokesman said.

The percentage of Japanese adults who smoke fell to a record low of 29.4 percent according to a survey released last October by Japan Tobacco.

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