Installation of 'Open-Type Smoke Ventilation Smoking Facility' on the Sidewalk in Front of Banpo Shopping Town 7-dong, Seocho-gu

Smoke purification device with patented technology installed with automatic extinguishing function and odor-blocking sealed ashtray... Reflecting needs of both smokers for a comfortable environment and non-smokers to prevent secondhand smoke... Effectiveness of smoke purification to be verified through future resident satisfaction surveys and expanded to other side streets

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) has installed a new concept "open-type smoke extraction smoking facility" on the sidewalk in front of Banpo Shopping Town Building 7 (Banpo-dong) and started a pilot operation.

The "open-type smoke extraction smoking facility" introduced by the district is designed to prevent passive smoking damage to pedestrians and provide a pleasant smoking environment for smokers, reflecting the needs of both smokers and non-smokers. It addresses the shortcomings of existing smoking facilities, which cause passive smoking damage to non-smokers due to cigarette smoke leaking outside and deter smokers from using them due to internal smoke and odor.

This facility is designed in the shape of an umbrella supported by a single pillar, with a roof size of 2.4m wide and 3.6m long. Two smoke extraction purification devices are installed on both sides of the roof to purify and discharge cigarette smoke.

As a result, despite its open structure, smoke does not leak outside. Additionally, patented technology has been applied that increases the capture depth and area by more than twice and ten times, respectively.

Four smart ashtrays with intelligent functions are installed on the pillar. When a burning cigarette butt is disposed of in the ashtray, an automatic extinguishing function activates to prevent odors from escaping outside.

Moreover, the roof is equipped with a motion sensor that automatically operates the smoke extraction purification device when a smoker is present and stops it automatically 10 minutes after the smoker leaves, providing a smart function.

The "open-type smoke extraction smoking facility" is a result derived from the "Social Problem Solving Design Service" conducted by the district in the first half of this year to promote coexistence between smokers and non-smokers and to improve problems caused by smoking and cigarette butts on side streets.

The district also conducts regular cigarette butt collection and cleaning of ashtrays to maintain the environment inside the smoking facility.

In the future, after verifying the effectiveness of the smoke extraction function and conducting a resident satisfaction survey, the facility will be expanded next year to side streets such as Gangnam-daero.

Along with this, the district is promoting various smoking cessation policies to improve residents' health and create a dignified urban environment, including ▲ a "QR code for smoking cessation education application" that reduces fines on violation confirmation certificates issued during smoking crackdowns ▲ operation of a "mobile smoking cessation promotion center" at subway stations and other locations.

Due to these efforts, the district was recognized for excellence by being selected as the "Best Institution for Creating a Smoke-Free Environment" in the 2022 "Making Seoul a Smoke-Free City" evaluation hosted by Seoul City, and this year was selected as an "Excellent Institution for Creating a Smoke-Free Environment" by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, "We will continue to promote smoking cessation projects and do our best to create a 'pleasant Seocho' by establishing an urban environment free from passive smoking damage to non-smokers."

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