Designating No-Smoking Zones Within 5 Meters of Crosswalks... Daegu City Councilor Ha Byeong-mun Proposes Ordinance as Lead Sponsor

Daegu City Council member Ha Byeong-moon (People Power Party, Buk-gu 4) announced on the 7th that he has taken the lead in proposing the ordinance amendment titled "Partial Amendment to the Daegu City Ordinance on Prevention of Secondhand Smoke Damage," which designates areas within 5 meters of crosswalks as non-smoking zones, at the 303rd extraordinary session.

Daegu City Council Member Ha Byeong-mun

The government and local governments have prepared various policies to reduce secondhand smoke damage in public places by designating various outdoor locations as non-smoking areas. However, according to a survey on secondhand smoke experience by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, 85.9% of respondents reported experiencing secondhand smoke on the streets, indicating that secondhand smoke damage in multi-use places such as crosswalks still continues.

This amendment establishes the basis for designating crosswalks, a representative public place, and areas within 5 meters from the boundary line of sidewalks adjacent to crosswalks as non-smoking zones, which is expected to protect citizens from secondhand smoke on the streets and create a pleasant urban environment.

An official from the Daegu City Council stated, "This ordinance is scheduled to be passed at the plenary session on the 15th. After the ordinance is passed, Daegu City will designate crosswalks and surrounding areas as non-smoking zones following a preparation period of six months, and impose a fine of 20,000 won for violations."

Daegu City Council member Ha Byeong-moon said, "Many citizens are complaining about damage caused by secondhand smoke at crosswalks and their surroundings while waiting for signals. Although it is difficult to designate all 11,000 crosswalks in Daegu as non-smoking zones immediately, we should start by designating major intersections in each district and gradually expand the designation of non-smoking zones to protect citizens' health rights from secondhand smoke damage," explaining the purpose of the ordinance amendment.

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