A Smoking Area Aimed at Coexistence Between Smokers and Non-Smokers Opens: "THE TOBACCO"

THE TOBACCO

A New Kind of Smoking Area Opens, Innovating the Way We Smoke

On June 1, 2020, under the concept of "innovating the way we smoke," new smoking areas, "THE TOBACCO" Kanda and Akasaka, opened their doors, aiming to create a comfortable coexistence for both smokers and non-smokers.

Edit by Sara Ando

Four Locations Planned for 2020, Thirteen for 2021

"THE TOBACCO" is a new smoking area brand launched with the aim of promoting tobacco culture and achieving better-mannered, comfortable smoking separation, in light of the "Act to Partially Amend the Health Promotion Act" which came into full effect on April 1, 2020, largely prohibiting indoor smoking, including in restaurants. The brand plans to open four locations in 2020 and thirteen more by 2021.

Kanda Store
Akasaka Store

By establishing new smoking areas that facilitate comfortable smoking separation, we aim to revitalize foot traffic in shopping streets and surrounding areas. Moving forward, we plan to expand nationwide through flexible approaches including tenant contracts, revenue sharing, franchising, and space rentals.

The spatial design was handled by Shuhei Yoneda, who established L’ATELIER in Tokyo after stints at IDEE (Tokyo), Jean Nouvel Design (Paris), and Yabu Pushelberg (New York). For this project, under the concept of "the minimal classic tobacco shop on the street corner," he crafted a smoking experience that blends novelty and tranquility in an optimal balance, challenging conventional notions of smoking areas.

"THE TOBACCO" aims to provide a clean, spacious, and appealing smoking environment. The space offers a minimal and modern atmosphere while conveying the warmth of its materials and attention to detail.

A distinctive feature is the adjacent coffee stand in every smoking area, offering coffee, lattes, and alcoholic beverages, as well as tobacco products and related merchandise. With a separate entrance, non-smokers can comfortably use the coffee stand without any inconvenience.

Born from a desire to convey tobacco culture in a pop art style, original merchandise is created through collaborations with illustrators and graphic designers. The first collection features long-sleeve t-shirts and tote bags printed with illustrations by Ryo Kaneyasu.

"THE TOBACCO" incorporates optimal dust collectors and exhaust output control systems tailored to the facility's conditions. While ensuring users don't carry the smell of smoke on their clothes after leaving, the exhaust output is adjusted based on congestion and time of day, maintaining a comfortable environment by balancing the dust collectors and climate control. The goal is to create a space where people can feel free to stop by at any time, without worrying about the time of day or their subsequent plans.

Inquiries

THE TOBACCO
Kanda Store | 2-12-2 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Konohana Bldg. 1F
Akasaka Store | 3-10-6 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo LuLud AKASAKA 1F
the-tobacco.jp
Instagram:the_tobacco