The issue of stubbornly persistent smoking habits, labeled as 'Zombie Cigarettes', has been garnering attention in Okinawa, Japan. Despite numerous regulations and public health initiatives aimed at combating this, the prevalence of smoking remains high. Authorities are seeking to understand why such practices persist in Okinawa and are taking steps to address the issue more effectively.

Japan has strong smoking control measures in place, which include restrictions on advertising and public smoking. However, in Okinawa, these measures seem to be less effective. This could be due to cultural differences, socioeconomic factors, or existing social norms. Smoking-related health risks are significant; therefore, people are concerned about this issue.

Unlike Japan, the US and EU have seen a notable decrease in smoking rates over the past few decades. This shift is largely due to strict tobacco regulations, high taxes on tobacco products, and widespread public health campaigns. In the US and EU, smoking is generally less accepted culturally and more stigmatized than in Japan.