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South Korea: fines for lighting up

Government to impose fines are those caught smoking in public places

Posted in Government action, Tobacco on 27th May, 2010 | no responses

 The Seoul Metropolitan Government will start imposing fines on smokers who smoke in public places such as parks, bus stops, and school zones.  The fines could reach up to 100,000 won (US$97).  A city official said: ‘We will protect citizens from the harm of passive smoking and raise the quality of the city prior to important international events such as the G-20 summit in November’. Last month, the National Health Promotion Act designating public areas as non-smoking zones was passed at the National Assembly, and the new fines follow on the back of this legislation. 

A survey found that 91% of people who live in Seoul supported reinforcing anti-tobacco policies, and 67% of smokers also agreed to the plan.

Source: The Korean Times, 27 May 2010.

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