Première voor ‘smokers-only’
Honderdvijftig Japanse rokers krijgen een bijzondere ervaring: zij zijn de enigen die uitgenodigd zijn om de première bij te wonen van een nieuwe film met de naam ‘Sin City’. En…. tijdens de voorstelling mogen ze zoveel roken als ze willen!
Deze zeldzame belevenis werd hun aangeboden door Japan Tobacco, nadat ze een loterij hadden gewonnen waaraan twee voorwaarden verbonden waren: ze moesten én ouder zijn dan 20 jaar én roker…..
Japan Tobacco to hold smokers-only preview of ‘Sin City’
With smokers being increasingly shunned in public places, Japan’s largest cigarette maker is offering a rare treat — tickets to a film preview where they can smoke all they want.
Japan Tobacco, which sells nearly two-thirds of the nation’s cigarette products, will invite 150 lucky smokers who won a lottery to a private showing of the film-noir thriller “Sin City” next Monday, said company spokesman Tsuyoshi Miyashita.
Anyone over 20 years of age could apply, but there was one condition attached — they had to pledge that they smoke.
“The event is to provide a rare opportunity for smokers to light up freely while watching the movie, so they can enjoy the film without suppressing their urge to smoke,” Miyashita said. “I remember seeing filmgoers smoke in theaters, though it’s impossible today.”
The planned event, believed to be the first in Japan, is also part of JT’s “Smart Smoke” campaign to promote its new products with reduced cigarette odor, but the guests can smoke any cigarettes they like, the spokesman said.
Though Japan’s smoking rate remains one of the highest in the developed world, smoking has been banned in movie theaters, train stations and other public facilities.
Japan’s overall smoking rate fell for the ninth consecutive year in 2004 to just below 30 percent of adult population, JT said. (AP)