"Stop Smoking on the Streets" What to Do About 'Tukseukeu Smokers'... Citizens Outraged

Wearing Masks on the Chin While Smoking... Citizens Express "COVID-19 Spread" Concerns
Health Authorities Recommend Quitting Smoking, Calling Secondhand Smoke a "COVID-19 Risk Behavior"
Underlying Condition Patients' Symptoms Worsen if Infected with COVID-19

Office workers are smoking. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "The cigarette smoke all goes inside the mask," "I wish people would stop wearing masks on their chins."

There is criticism that the so-called '턱스크' (mask worn on the chin) smoking on the streets by some smokers might be causing the further spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Health authorities have advised refraining from smoking, warning that COVID-19 can be transmitted to others nearby during smoking.

On the afternoon of the 28th, one corner of a parking lot at an intersection in Jung-gu, Seoul, was filled with smokers. Most were smoking with their masks hanging on their chins while chatting with their coworkers. The situation was similar in an open space in front of a building across the street.

A man in his 40s, office worker Kim, said, "Smoking is prohibited near the workplace, so I have no choice but to smoke here," adding, "Because of COVID-19, I feel self-conscious and try to smoke quickly and leave."

The problem lies in the fact that this so-called '턱스크 smoking group' could contribute to the spread of COVID-19. On the 27th, health authorities recommended quitting smoking, stating that COVID-19 can be transmitted even through secondhand smoke.

However, office workers who smoke with their masks on their chins seemed indifferent to these warnings from health authorities.

A man in his 30s, Lee, who was smoking in an alley in a busy district, said, "Smoking takes only one or two minutes," adding, "I smoke quickly and in places where there are no people, so I don't think it's a problem."

Another office worker also said, "It seems like the cigarette smoke causes harm," but emphasized, "Since there are no people around, I think it's okay."

On the 25th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection shows no signs of slowing down, citizens and police officers are smoking without masks in front of a building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

On the other hand, citizens expressed discomfort, especially concerns about the risk of COVID-19 infection.

A man in his 40s, office worker Kim, said, "First of all, it doesn't look good to see people not wearing masks properly." He added, "Everyone is struggling to wear masks even this summer, so isn't it just for their own convenience?"

Another person in his 30s, Park, criticized, "Everyone is suffering because of COVID-19, so I can't understand why people take off their masks." He added, "What if COVID-19 spreads because they smoke with their masks off like that?"

Concerns that smoking or the smoking process could increase COVID-19 infection risk have already been raised.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare in July, smoking causes the mouth to touch the cigarette and fingers, increasing the possibility that the virus enters the smoker's mouth and respiratory tract. The toxic substances inhaled through smoking damage cardiovascular, lung, and immune functions, increasing the likelihood of COVID-19 infection.

Additionally, people with underlying diseases may experience worsened symptoms and higher mortality risk if infected with COVID-19. In fact, among COVID-19 patients in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37.6% had one or more underlying conditions, and 78.3% of ICU admissions were patients with underlying diseases.

The World Health Organization also recommends immediate smoking cessation through verified methods such as quitline counseling, mobile phone smoking cessation support services, and nicotine replacement therapies (gum, patches, etc.), as smokers have a higher probability of developing severe COVID-19 compared to non-smokers.

On the 27th, as the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly spread nationwide and the number of new confirmed cases surged to the 400s, the screening clinic set up at Yeongdeungpo-gu Public Health Center in Seoul was crowded with citizens seeking tests. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

As a result, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) classified smokers as a high-risk group for COVID-19 in April.

Since May, they have recommended banning the use of indoor smoking rooms. This decision was based on the judgment that smokers may have reduced lung function and that smoking in enclosed indoor spaces increases the risk of infection.

On the 27th, Kwon Jun-wook, deputy director of the CDCH, said at a regular briefing about the link between smoking and COVID-19, "It has already been investigated that a large amount of COVID-19 virus is released when exhaling while smoking," emphasizing, "Secondhand smoke itself is a risky behavior for COVID-19 transmission."

He continued, "In this regard, appropriate measures are needed for smoking areas." He also stated, "Smokers are classified as a high-risk group for COVID-19, so health authorities strongly emphasize smoking cessation during the COVID-19 pandemic."