New Smoking Ban

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The Seoul metropolitan government designated the entrances of subway stations as non-smoking zones in May this year. Following a four-month waiting period, the smoking ban will go into full effect this week.

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From September 1st, crackdowns on smoking at the entrances of subway stations will fully begin. A fine of 89 U.S. dollars will be slapped on those who are found smoking within 10 meters from subway station entrances. Before devising the smoking ban, the Seoul metropolitan government conducted a study and found that about 10,500 cases of smoking were spotted per hour near subway stations. Based on the results, entrances of subway stations were designated as non-smoking zones in May this year and stickers promoting the new smoking ban were attached every ten meters near subway stations. Non-smoking signs were also put up on walls and stairways at subway stations. Smoking-control squads from district offices plan to carry out frequent crackdowns on violations. A total of 400 officials will be mobilized to discourage smoking near subway stations, including guidance personnel.