Dongdaemun-gu Intensifies Crackdown on Smoking in School Routes

Strengthened Smoking Ban Guidance and Inspections at 49 School Routes Starting the 14th to Create a Safe Commute Environment... Smokers Fined 100,000 KRW, Violating Businesses Up to 5 Million KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Since the 24th of last month, mask mandates have been enforced throughout all areas of Seoul, but it is common to see people smoking cigarettes on the streets with their masks lowered.

This behavior is no exception around school areas.

Health authorities have emphasized that smoking on the streets is inherently risky because a large amount of the COVID-19 virus is expelled when exhaling smoke, but appropriate guidance and supervision are still needed regarding groups of three to five people smoking near schools.

Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor Yoo Deok-yeol) will begin intensive crackdowns on smoking behavior along school commuting routes within the district starting from the 14th to protect children's health and create a safe environment for going to and from school.

The district has organized two inspection teams to conduct focused inspections of 49 elementary, middle, and high schools in the area from the 14th to the 25th.

The main inspection items include ▲ smoking within 50 meters of school entrances ▲ compliance with the posting of no-smoking signs and stickers in no-smoking zones ▲ illegal cigarette sales to minors.

The district will impose a fine of 100,000 KRW on those caught smoking and fines up to 5 million KRW on businesses repeatedly violating no-smoking zone regulations.

Additionally, the district plans to continue anti-smoking promotional activities to strengthen residents' awareness that school commuting routes are no-smoking zones, emphasizing that in order to prevent and overcome COVID-19, not only social distancing but also distancing from cigarettes is urgently needed.

Yoo Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, “We have intensified crackdowns to reinforce the awareness that areas around schools are no-smoking zones and to prevent children and adolescents from secondhand smoke exposure. We ask residents to actively participate in street no-smoking efforts so that our children can grow up in a pleasant environment free from cigarette smoke.”

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