Japanese Cigarette Machines Recognise Teens: Tells Them To Go Away May 12, 2008

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Hi-tech is coming to cigarette machines in Japan to stop teens from puffing their way to an early grave.

A company has developed a camera and facial recognition system for the machines that will literally look for wrinkles, facial sagging and other signs of ageing before letting someone buy cigarettes. It's OK for the old to smoke because, apparently, they're screwed anyway.

There are 570,000 cigarette machines in Japan and there’s a new law on the way in July which requires that cigarette sellers do something to ensure that those buying the fags are over the age limit of 20.

The facial data gathered by Fujitaka Co's system will compare the evidence to data from over 100,000 people.

Hajime Yamamoto, a company spokesman told Reuters:

"With face recognition, so long as you've got some change and you are an adult, you can buy cigarettes like before. The problem of minors borrowing (identification) cards to purchase cigarettes could be avoided as well.”

The machine has a 90% success rate, while the other 10% are relegated to the 'grey zone' since they've been classed as "minors that look older, and baby-faced adults". Priceless.

I see a market for penny-pinched pensioners, hanging around cigarette machines making some extra cash.-Martin Lynch

[Reuters]

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