Background to the All-Room Non-Smoking Policy

At the ceremony, Director Sayaka Otsuka explained the background leading to the all-room non-smoking policy.
There were primarily three reasons behind this decision.

(1) All Comfort brand hotels in North America are already non-smoking.
Comfort Hotel, which is gaining recognition in Japan, is a brand developed by Choice Hotels International, the second-largest hotel group worldwide by number of hotels. It is one of the largest major hotel chains originating from the United States. Hotels under the Comfort brand in North America have already transitioned to entirely non-smoking rooms, a move that Choice Hotels Japan began implementing in 2016.

(2) Thirdhand Smoke
Recently, "thirdhand smoke"—the inhalation of harmful substances from residual tobacco smoke after a cigarette has been extinguished—has garnered attention. It poses a risk not only to smokers but also to non-smokers, as residual smoke clinging to walls, carpets, hair, and bedding can negatively impact health when inhaled.
With this transition to all non-smoking rooms, Comfort Hotel has conducted thorough cleaning of walls, ceilings, carpets, and air conditioning systems in former smoking rooms. This meticulous cleaning aims to provide guests with a pristine environment, aligning with our concept, "Color your journey."
* "Color your journey." is inspired by Florida, the origin of Comfort Hotels,
where guests can spend their time as they please in a space enveloped in gentle light, aiming to make their journeys more fulfilling.
It embodies the wish to bring color to each individual's time.

(3) Increase in inbound tourism towards 2020
With the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, an increase in inbound tourism and hotel demand is anticipated. To better accommodate these visitors, Choice Hotels Japan has been advancing its all-room non-smoking policy since 2016. Currently, Japan lags significantly behind other developed nations in establishing comprehensive smoking and non-smoking policies. This situation raises concerns about providing a clean and comfortable living environment for the influx of international visitors in 2020.
This trend towards smoke-free environments is expected to accelerate further, with Comfort Hotel's all-room non-smoking policy serving as a catalyst.

The Challenge of Going Smoke-Free

For hotels, deciding whether to designate rooms as smoking or non-smoking presents a significant challenge. This is because the odor of tobacco can linger on wallpaper and in air conditioning systems, necessitating separate floors for smoking and non-smoking guests. There is also the concern that existing smoking guests might cease to patronize the hotel altogether if rooms become non-smoking.

Addressing these concerns, Director Otsuka stated, "We have not seen a significant impact on sales due to the non-smoking policy. Many smokers also prefer a clean, odor-free environment for their own rooms. Not all smokers will stop visiting; some will choose non-smoking rooms. Furthermore, some hotels offer designated smoking booths where smoking is permitted." This perspective highlights the creation of an optimal environment for smokers as well.

She further added that future sales are projected to increase, anticipating new patronage from families, non-smokers, and international travelers.


The hotel plans to expand to 61 hotels across 34 prefectures within the current fiscal year. As the "smoking decline" gains momentum, particularly among younger generations, we look forward to Comfort Hotel's continued endeavors.