Incheon City Expands No-Smoking Zones to Crosswalks and Walking Trails... 50,000 KRW Fine for Violations

Smoking Cessation Promotion Poster [Provided by Incheon City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City will designate additional no-smoking zones starting next month, including crosswalks, subway entrances, and walking trails.

On the 17th, the city announced that based on the revised ordinance on preventing secondhand smoke damage, which was promulgated on October 7 last year, it will expand no-smoking zones from April 7.

The newly designated no-smoking zones include areas within 5 meters of crosswalks and crosswalk boundaries, within 10 meters of urban railway entrances, walking paths and trails in river areas, beaches, and taxi stands.

In addition to the existing approximately 70,000 no-smoking zones such as parks, school surroundings, bus stops, gas stations, and medical institutions, the city plans to determine specific locations for new no-smoking zones through consultations with district and county offices.

The city intends to impose a fine of 50,000 KRW on smokers in no-smoking zones after a three-month on-site guidance period during the initial implementation. Last year, the number of fines issued and the total amount were 1,353 cases and 109.32 million KRW, respectively.

Meanwhile, Incheon City is actively promoting smoking cessation using public transportation such as subways to reduce smokers in high-risk groups for COVID-19.

Smoking cessation promotional videos are being broadcast on monitors (2,320 units) inside Incheon Subway Lines 1 and 2 trains and on promotional media (364 units) at administrative offices including City Hall. Additionally, smoking cessation posters have been produced and are being promoted using corner advertising boards inside the trains.

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