Jungnang-gu, Promotion of Prohibition on Alcohol and Tobacco Sales to Youth

Promotion Activities for Ban on Alcohol and Tobacco Sales at About 200 Convenience Stores in the Area Until December 6... Around 10 Members of Jungnang-gu Private Alcohol Moderation Group 'Eumju Munhwa Gaeseon Jungnang Hyupuihoe' Participate

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) has taken steps to protect the health of local youth.

The district announced that from the 9th until December 6th, it is conducting promotional activities targeting about 200 convenience stores registered as rest stop food establishments within the area to prohibit the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to teenagers.

This campaign was organized to raise awareness among alcohol and tobacco vendors about illegal sales, aiming to block the purchase routes of alcohol and cigarettes by teenagers, especially during the year-end period when concerns about drinking and smoking among students who have finished the college entrance exam and those approaching vacation increase.

In particular, about 10 members of the Jungnang-gu private abstinence group, the "Eumju Munhwa Gaeseon Jungnang Hyup-uihoe" (Alcohol Culture Improvement Jungnang Council), are participating in this promotional activity. Members visit assigned convenience stores in pairs or trios based on their residence, providing guidance on the seriousness of underage drinking and smoking as well as penalties related to illegal sales, and distributing leaflets.

Moreover, for approximately 150 convenience stores in the area that are not registered as rest stop food establishments, the district plans to promote the prohibition of alcohol and cigarette sales to teenagers through cooperation with franchise managers of each convenience store brand.

Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi of Jungnang-gu said, “It is important to prevent teenagers from being exposed to the dangers of drinking and smoking in advance,” adding, “We will do our best to protect local youth from harmful environments through cooperation with private organizations and vendors, and realize a zero illegal sales Jungnang.”

Meanwhile, in 2019, the district conducted “Illegal Sales Monitoring of Cigarettes to Teenagers” for a total of 2,600 convenience stores in Seoul, and was selected as the district with the lowest illegal sales rate among the 25 autonomous districts of Seoul.