News Releases

Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that the smoking rate among its employees has been reduced from 15% in 2020 to 0.3% in 2023^*1 as a result of initiatives implemented since 2020 to encourage and support employees’ voluntary smoking cessation^*2.

In February 2017, Taiho Pharmaceutical announced its Health Pledge^*3, affirming its commitment to protecting the health of its employees, their families, and the surrounding community, reflective of the company’s awareness of, responsibility for, and close involvement with human life and its primary focus on oncology. In the ongoing efforts to promote smoking cessation, Taiho Pharmaceutical has added a new clause to its work regulations this January, prohibiting smoking during working hours. This change reflects the progress that has been made company-wide in cultivating a corporate culture where employees who smoke are encouraged to quit voluntarily, and their colleagues warmly support this effort. It has been determined that now is the appropriate time to update the work regulations. With this update, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a healthy workplace and to each employee's health.

Our various initiatives, including smoking cessation programs, deemed effective in extending healthy life expectancy, have received external recognition. In November 2023, Taiho Pharmaceutical was honored with the Director-General of the Health Service Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Excellence Award (Corporate Category) at the "12th Extend Healthy Life Expectancy Award" co-hosted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Japan Sports Agency.

Guided by the corporate philosophy, "We strive to improve human health and contribute to a society enriched by smiles," Taiho Pharmaceutical regards its 'Human Capital' as a paramount business asset. Believing in this, we will continue to provide various forms of support aimed at achieving a smoking rate of zero, ensuring that our employees can work in a vibrant and open environment, and we will maintain our commitment to preserving our employees' health.

*1: As determined by a survey conducted in November 2023 of 2408 employees, with 7 current smokers, the company has attained a 0% smoking rate among executive and managerial personnel.　　　　　　　　　　　*2: Please see Taiho Pharmaceutical's press releases:
From October 16, 2020,"Taiho Pharmaceutical Supports Employees' Efforts to Quit Smoking," and October 6, 2022,"Taiho Pharmaceutical Adds New Measures to Reduce Smoking Among Employees to Zero by 2023."
*3: Taiho Pharmaceutical's Health Pledge

2020 Initiatives:
・Subsidy for smoking cessation outpatient expenses (including online sessions)
・Sharing insights and strategies from employees who have successfully quit smoking
・Implementation of a comprehensive no-smoking policy during working hours
・Prohibited smoking in all laboratory and factory areas
・Non-smoking condition for new graduate hires and career hires
・Including smoking status as one of the factors considered for promotion to department managers

2021 Additional Initiatives:
・Financial support for the purchase of smoking cessation aids
・Health guidance for smokers (for those who wish to participate)

2022 Additional Initiatives:
・Conducting individual counseling sessions with smokers
・Implementation of a comprehensive no-smoking policy during working hours, including break times
・Including smoking status as one of the factors considered for promotion to management and administrative positions
・Including smoking status as one of the factors considered for continued post-retirement employment classification

2023 Additional Initiatives:
・Conducting tripartite interviews for smokers
・Delivering quit-smoking support messages with a handwritten signature from the president directly to smokers

2024 Regulation Revision:
・January: Incorporation of non-smoking during working hours into the work regulations