Smokers in Seoul will have fewer places to smoke, as the city is moving to designate parks and all other public places as nonsmoking areas.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that it plans to assign outdoor public places including plazas, streets and schools, as nonsmoking areas and will issue related regulations soon.
The ordinance, aimed at protecting nonsmokers from unwanted cigarette smoke, will not be legally binding nor will fines be imposed on smokers who violate it.
It will be a recommendation that provides the basis for provincial governments to take various steps to curb smoking in public places.
``The measure is to prevent inhalation of second hand smoke and appreciate the health rights of nonsmokers,'' Cho Eun-hee, the assistant mayor of Women & Family Policy Affairs said. ``Since there are insufficient legal restrictions on smoking, citizens' participation and responses are the most important factors for the success of the policies,'' the official said.
According to a survey by the municipal government, 97 percent of participants said they are willing to refrain from smoking when there is a nonsmoking sign and it leads to not having a smoke in front of other people.
The city will designate major plazas such as Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggye Plaza and 16 major streets in Seoul as nonsmoking areas with no smoking sign-marked footpaths.
Restaurants in Seoul will be asked to set up separate smoking and nonsmoking areas. Under current law, only restaurants larger than 150 square meters are obligated to part the sections. The metropolitan government will give incentives to small eateries that separate smoking and nonsmoking areas.
Seoul will reduce the side effects of second hand smoke on teenagers by designating areas around elementary, middle and high schools as nonsmoking zones.
Registration for nonsmoking apartment complexes will be expanded as well, particularly for apartments built by Seoul Housing Corporation. Meanwhile, community areas such as hallways, staircases, playgrounds and parking lots are going to be smoke free.
Taxis must post no smoking signs and prohibit smoking, and the city will remove trash bins from bus stops to discourage smokers.
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djson1 (74.0.201.194)
04-16-2009 09:13
If you read this article, it is not a "ban", but more of a "recommendation". If there are no fines imposed or it is not enforced, do you think smokers will care?? Taxis are discouraged from smoking, but how many times have you been in a taxi cab and the guy was smoking?? The smoking ban needs to be enforced. Also, education needs to be in place so kids don't start at a young age. Smoking is still a big problem in Korea (and all of Asia) in my opinion.
glendadiamond (116.93.23.39)
04-08-2009 16:16
I'm glad that this Smoking Ban has been implemented vigorously. Thumbs up to the Seoul City administrators.
Amerkrean (203.247.44.118)
03-31-2009 09:45
No, you haven't been within the rules. That's why your sorry ass has been banned time and again.
Amerkrean (203.247.44.118)
03-31-2009 09:44
Arse, you want me to shut up, then tell me where we can meet so you can shut me up. I'll go anyplace in Korea to meet you. Of course you're afraid to back up your words with actions. Coward. You hide behind your computer and bash any and all who you don't agree with. Have you ever noticed that no one ever agrees with you, you sad excuse for a human being.
Amerkrean (203.247.44.118)
03-30-2009 19:30
Arse, a little lesson in civility. You don't just come on if you disagree with someone who hasn't even addressed you, and write as your first words, "shut up." How much respect do you think you earn when you act like that? Grow up.
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