Songpa-gu Designates No-Smoking Zones Around Sincheon-dong Catholic Church, South End of Jamsil Bridge, and Rose 3rd Complex

Guidance until the 30th, a fine of 100,000 KRW imposed for violations from December 1st

No Smoking Area at the South End of Jamsil Bridge

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is taking the lead in protecting residents' health by designating three additional no-smoking zones around Jamsil to prevent secondhand smoke exposure.

The newly designated no-smoking zones are ▲ Sincheon-dong Catholic Church ▲ South end of Jamsil Bridge ▲ Surroundings of Jangmi 3rd Apartment.

After a one-month guidance period from November 1 to 30, enforcement will begin on December 1.

The areas around Sincheon-dong Catholic Church and the south end of Jamsil Bridge became habitual smoking zones due to the balloon effect caused by nearby no-smoking zones. As a result, complaints about secondhand smoke from nearby residents and pedestrians have been continuously received.

The surroundings of Jangmi 3rd Apartment are sidewalks frequently used by apartment residents and students commuting to school, but smoking by nearby office workers has persisted, raising concerns about the residential environment and residents' health.

The district conducted a smoking status survey and gathered residents' opinions over the past nine months to designate these additional no-smoking zones.

On the 1st, the no-smoking street designation was announced through banners and the official website, and during the guidance period until the 30th of this month, smoking enforcement patrols will be conducted 2 to 3 times a week.

From December 1, enforcement will be carried out, and violators will be fined 100,000 KRW.

Along with smoking enforcement, various promotional and guidance activities to prevent the balloon effect will continue. Large nearby workplaces have been requested to cooperate by encouraging their employees to refrain from smoking on the streets.

In particular, the district operates a “Visiting Smoking Cessation Clinic” in response to COVID-19, providing various supports to help smoking cessation habits lead to improved quality of life.

With this additional designation, the total number of no-smoking zones under the Songpa-gu No-Smoking Environment Creation and Secondhand Smoke Damage Prevention Ordinance, including parks, Jamsil Station intersection, bus stops and taxi stands, and school absolute protection zones, has reached 745 locations.

For more details, please contact the Songpa-gu Public Health Center.

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “I hope a pleasant street environment will be created through the expansion of no-smoking zones,” and added, “We will continuously monitor to ensure no balloon effect occurs nearby and do our best to care for the health of all residents and workers staying in Songpa through no-smoking promotion and administrative support.”

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