Yongsan-gu Hangang Elementary, Yonggang Middle, and Namjeong Elementary Areas Designated as 'No-Smoking Zones'

After 6 Months of Guidance, Enforcement Starts in July... 100,000 KRW Fine... Smoke-Free Zones Expanded to All Elementary, Middle, and High School Routes by Year-End

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seongchang Hyun) designated and announced no-smoking zones around Hangang Elementary School, Yonggang Middle School, and Namjeong Elementary School as of January 1, 2020, in connection with Seoul City's ‘No-Smoking Zone Creation Project Around Schools’.

This is to contribute to protecting the health of children and adolescents and creating a smoke-free environment.

The newly designated no-smoking zone ranges are as follows: ▲ 200m along the main entrance commuting path of Hangang Elementary School (100m in front of the main entrance on Hangang-daero 14-gil and 100m on the opposite commuting path) ▲ 310m along the front and back entrance commuting paths of Yonggang Middle School (310m along the school facility boundary on Ichon-ro 65ga-gil including front and back entrances) ▲ 225m along the front and back entrance commuting paths of Namjeong Elementary School (42m in front of the main entrance on Wonhyo-ro 64-gil, 98m on the right main commuting path, and 85m on the back entrance commuting path on Wonhyo-ro).

The district will conduct a six-month guidance period and begin enforcement of smoking bans in the new no-smoking zones starting July 1. The fine is 100,000 KRW.

The district also plans to install ‘No-Smoking Zone Around Schools’ floor signs at the entrances and midpoints of the no-smoking zones soon, so that citizens can recognize whether an area is designated as a no-smoking zone.

According to Article 5 (Designation of No-Smoking Zones) of the ‘Ordinance on the Designation of No-Smoking Areas and Prevention of Secondhand Smoke Damage in Yongsan-gu, Seoul Special City,’ the district mayor may designate no-smoking zones “to prevent damage caused by secondhand smoke and promote the health of residents.”

Last year, the district received applications for no-smoking zone designation from Hangang Elementary School, Yonggang Middle School, and Namjeong Elementary School. After feasibility studies, surveys of students, faculty, and parents, and administrative notice (public opinion collection), the no-smoking zones were finalized.

A district official said, “More than 97% of respondents supported the designation of no-smoking zones,” and added, “We ask all citizens to cooperate in operating the no-smoking zones for the sake of neighbors and students.”

Including the three newly designated no-smoking zones, there are a total of five no-smoking zones in Yongsan-gu. The district previously designated the area around Hannam Elementary School (150m along the school side commuting path on Hannam-daero) in 2018 and the area around Jungkyung High School (200m along the main entrance commuting path on Ichon-ro 84-gil) in 2019 as no-smoking zones.

The district plans to expand no-smoking zones to all elementary, middle, and high school commuting paths in the area by the end of the year. The absolute protection zones (50m from the entrance) of 35 schools in the area were designated as no-smoking zones in 2015. The no-smoking zones around schools are a greatly expanded concept of the existing no-smoking areas around schools.

In addition to designating and enforcing no-smoking zones, the district is actively promoting related projects such as smoking cessation support, operation of smoking cessation clinics, and smoking prevention education for children and adolescents.

Seongchang Hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “As part of the district’s smoking cessation policy, we are continuously increasing no-smoking areas and zones,” and added, “We hope smokers will challenge themselves to quit smoking as soon as possible for their own health as well as that of their neighbors and the community.”

Health Administration Division (☎2199-8364)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.