940 Nowon-gu Residents Received a Total of 175.6 Million KRW in Success Support Funds Last Year: What’s the Story?

Seoul District's Only Smoking Cessation Success Support Fund Up to 600,000 KRW Provided

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is strengthening the smoking cessation environment by providing success support funds and expanding non-smoking areas to encourage and support residents' determination to quit smoking.

First, the smoking cessation success support fund project is unique to Nowon-gu among the 25 autonomous districts in Seoul.

Since 2014, the district has enacted an ordinance related to creating a smoke-free environment and operates a ‘Smoking Cessation Success Support Fund’ system that returns the funds collected from fines for smoking violations in non-smoking areas to residents who successfully quit smoking.

Those wishing to quit smoking can apply at the smoking cessation clinic on the 2nd floor of the district health center and receive success support funds according to the number of months they have successfully quit. They can receive a total of 600,000 KRW in cash: 100,000 KRW for 12 months, 200,000 KRW for 24 months, and 300,000 KRW for 36 months.

The recipients must be residents registered in Nowon-gu from the date of registration at the smoking cessation clinic to the smoking cessation success criteria date. Last year, 940 people succeeded in quitting smoking and a total of 175.6 million KRW was paid as success support funds.

The smoking cessation clinic is also in operation. When smokers register at the clinic, they receive nicotine dependence tests, carbon monoxide measurements, smoking cessation counseling, and smoking cessation aids. A demand-based night clinic is held weekly for office workers who lack time during weekdays, and it also operates on the fourth Saturday of every month. The support staff consists of four smoking cessation counselors including nurses.

Visitors can receive services after member registration by bringing their ID card. Currently, counseling is operated by appointment to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For reservations and other detailed information, contact the Nowon-gu Smoking Cessation Clinic.

Meanwhile, the district is expanding the designation of non-smoking areas to prevent harm from secondhand smoke.

In 2018, areas within 10 meters of the boundaries of daycare centers and kindergartens were designated as ‘non-smoking areas’ to protect children vulnerable to cigarette smoke. In 2019, bicycle paths and walking trails along local streams (Jungnangcheon, Danghyeoncheon, Mukdongcheon, Uicheon) were designated as non-smoking areas, and in 2020, all school facilities for elementary, middle, and high schools were designated as non-smoking areas within 10 meters of their boundaries.

Non-smoking residents are also considered. The district plans to minimize residents’ exposure to secondhand smoke by expanding the installation of smoking booths. Two open-type smoking rooms have been installed at Junggye Neighborhood Park and Deungnamu Culture Park.

This year, smoking booths will also be installed at Kwangwoon University Plaza and Seokgye Station Culture Park.

The ‘Non-Smoking Apartment Certification Project’ is also underway. This project is led by apartment residents to prevent conflicts and harm caused by smoking.

With the consent of more than 50% of the resident households, common areas such as staircases, hallways, playgrounds, and senior centers are designated as non-smoking areas, and a voluntary operation group is formed to manage these areas and conduct smoking cessation promotion and campaigns.

The district supports promotional materials such as non-smoking banners and signs.

As of December last year, 85 complexes have been certified as non-smoking apartments.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “I hope the smoking cessation success support fund will be a good motivation for smokers who are determined to quit,” and added, “We plan to continue implementing various policies to promote residents’ health by reducing smoking rates.”

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