Seoul to Ban Smoking in Public Places

I have many Koren friends who smoke. Most of them just smoke anywhere even while walking on the streets. If there is one thing I hate the most, that would be inhaling the smoke of cigarettes that other people made. This is very annoying and you get to experience this in Korea.

"Streets and parks of Seoul City could be designated as non-smoking areas. The 21 members of the Seoul Metropolitan Council proposed an ordinance to prohibit smoking on streets and in parks and plazas within the capital."

This would be good especially to pregnant women and children, as stated in the suggested bill handed in by a city councilor. Of course, just like Japan designated areas for smoking will be provided.

In a survey made by Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs last year,

nearly 60 percent of respondents complained about second-hand smoke in public areas. More than 66 percent had complaints about second-hand smoke on streets and 62 percent in restaurants.

The bill would affect public areas such as streets, parks, plazas and outside of municipal buildings.

If passed, the ordinance would take effect from January 2011, fining violators up to 20,000 won.

So there's still 9 months more to smoke freely. To smokers out there good luck on your public places hopping ^^

Full Story:

Seoul to Ban Smoking in Public Places

by Kwon Mee-yoo (meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr)(http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2010/04/177_62800.html)