Oshi no Ko Franchise Launches Campaign to End Underage Smoking
Join Ruby, Kana, and Memcho as they share why smoking in your teen dreams is a bad idea—fun, relatable advice for a healthier future!
Campaign Against Underage Smoking Featuring 'Oshi no Ko' Characters
Characters Ruby Hoshino, Kana Arima, and Memcho deliver a clear message: "Don't smoke in your dream teen years!"
'Oshi no Ko' Partners with the Tobacco Institute of Japan
On July 4, the popular anime franchise 'Oshi no Ko' announced a new collaboration with the Tobacco Institute of Japan to promote awareness about underage smoking. The campaign includes the release of a key visual featuring beloved characters from the series.
Image via x.com
The visual shows Ruby Hoshino, Kana Arima, and Memcho urging teens: "Don't smoke in your dream teen years!"
An Ongoing Annual Campaign
Since 2009, the Tobacco Institute of Japan has run this campaign every July, working alongside the National Federation of Tobacco Sales Cooperatives and businesses that serve minors. The initiative specifically targets individuals under 20 years old to prevent early smoking habits.
Past Collaborations with Anime and Manga
This isn't the first time the institute has teamed up with popular media to spread its message. In November 2024, they launched a campaign featuring Kyoko Otonashi from 'Maison Ikkoku', promoting cigarette fire prevention. Kyoko has been the institute's mascot for over a decade, helping raise awareness about fire safety related to smoking.
Sources
This collaboration highlights how popular culture can be a powerful tool in promoting important social messages, especially among young audiences.