Seoul moves to constrict tobacco smoking further

Tobacco smoking will be banned outside all subway station exits in Seoul, South Korea, from April, according to a story in The Korea Times citing a statement by Seoul’s metropolitan government.

A revision to an ordinance will mean that it will be an offence to smoke within a 10-meter radius of exits and that violators will be liable to fines of up to WON100,000.

Sidewalks beside the city’s 18 major roads that each has more than eight lanes will also become tobacco-smoke-free zones.

Sidewalk smoking fines differ, with the districts of Seocho, Nowon and Guro imposing WON50,000 penalties, while the other districts have gone for WON100,000. “Each district office has the authority to impose fines, but we are encouraging them to set the amount at WON100,000 alike,” a city official said.

The city government is also promoting a no-smoking campaign in riverside parks, which are not tobacco-smoke-free zones but where visitors with families ‘often’ complain about second-hand smoke.