The World Health Organization hopes Japan will join South Korea in banning smoking during next year's World Cup.
South Korea has signed an agreement with the W-H-O to bar the use and advertising of cigarettes, a prohibition similar to the one imposed at the Sydney Olympic.
Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo said Japan co-host of the World Cup, has indicated it will also impose the ban. W-H-O spokeswoman said it is now in talks with Japan concerning the ban.
After talks with Han in Geneva, Gro Harlem Brundtland, director-general of the W-H-O, said that holding a tobacco-free World Cup will be a fine breakthrough for sports as well as health.
Last week, the South Korean government said it will ban smoking inside World Cup stadiums under a program to make the tournament environmentally clean.