Beginning March, smokers will no longer be able to light up in main squares in Seoul under a toughened anti-smoking ordinance.
The measure, which comes into effect on March 1, affects three main squares in the downtown area, Seoul Plaza, Cheongye-cheon Plaza and Gwanghwamun Plaza, in a bid to reduce the side effects of second-hand smoke in public places, the Seoul metropolitan government said.
As part of a public awareness campaign, the city government will set up warning signs around the squares this month and allow a three-month notification period, city officials said.
When the grace period ends on June 1, those who violate the no smoking ordinance in the specified areas will be fined 100,000 won ($90), they said.
The city plans to designate a total of 321 public places as non-smoking areas this year, adding 23 municipal parks by September and 295 bus stops by December, the official said.
The City Council passed the new ordinance in October last year.
![[INTERVIEW] With unusual nicknames and backgrounds, MIRAE eyes becoming next big K-pop star](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/a90499098326402996d8c5cead6e84a4.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Jean-Michel Othoniel's glass garden of enchantment 'is for everybody'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/23ab8b1dce9543b4b92d5ae550edb579.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Park Hae-soo talks about differentiating his character in 'Money Heist' remake](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/a736b6bc1d3e45b1bfa5017078a81d4d.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/newsV2/images/AFGHAN0001_e064cf8b60c94.JPG/dims/resize/268/optimize)
