Recent news out of Japan has proven, yet again, innovation and creativity stem from private individuals and businesses, not unions, and not forced government intervention.

Even under the heavy hand of the Australian government, smoking rates have begun increasing "despite plain packaging and the most expensive cigarette prices in the world."

In Japan, a conflict between smokers and nonsmokers came to a decision point at the Japanese company Piala.

An Innovative Solution

Smokers faced a 29-story or 15-minute journey to smoke outside. Non-smoking employees began taking issue with the increased time smokers were on break. At Piala, smokers made up 35 percent of the company's 120 employees, and management acknowledged these trips were not wastes of time but often used to discuss business.