NAGOYA — A nonsmoker has started driving the only smoking taxi in this central Japan city where smoking has been completely banned in cabs.

The 66-year-old owner-driver of the taxi can allow passengers to smoke on his cab because he is not a member of the Nagoya taxi association that has placed a total ban on taxies operated by its members.

"Banning smoking is the trend of the times, but it's also important to please smoking passengers," the driver said.

To prevent the odor of cigarettes, he placed four small ventilation fans in his car. Passengers who wish to smoke are supposed to switch on the fans to expel the smoke from the vehicle.

He also placed a sticker next to the touch-panel switch saying, "The ban on smoking has been lifted. Please feel free to smoke in this taxi." (Mainichi)

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20070707p2a00m0na029000c.html