Hi Carrie,
This is a fascinating question to ask.
It is hard not to be cynical when one reads that the same government that is seeking to ban lead in electronic solders in Japan actually owns two-thirds of Japan Tobacco and has in the past actively promoted smoking as good for your health. Consider the following:
"The government and tobacco seem to go hand-in-hand. Until last year, the gift bags distributed annually to workers in the Imperial Palace in honor of the emperor's birthday contained cigarettes, and Japan Tobacco donated 15 million cigarettes to nursing homes in honor of Respect for the Aged Day.
Then there is the wording on the warning labels on cigarette packages here: "Since smoking might injure your health, let's be careful not to smoke too much."
Source: Can Koizumi Untangle Japan and Tobacco?
By STEPHANIE STROM The New York Times June 13, 2001
Europe is an interesting case as well as it is often hard to find a place to get away from smoke.
You are right to wonder about the missing logic.
Kind regards,
Joe