Seocho-gu Designates 'No Smoking Zones' Within 10m of Children's Park Boundaries

Guidance for Public Roads Around 72 Children's Parks
Enforcement and Fines Starting June 19

"The area around children's parks is also a non-smoking zone."

Seocho-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) announced on the 18th that it has designated the area within a 10-meter radius from the boundary of children's parks as a non-smoking zone. Expanding the non-smoking zone to include the surroundings of children's parks, in addition to the parks themselves, is the first of its kind nationwide by Seocho-gu.

The designation is based on the Seocho-gu Ordinance for the Prevention of Secondhand Smoke Damage, targeting public roads around 72 children's parks designated under the "Act on Urban Parks and Green Areas." However, private properties around the parks are excluded.

The 10-meter radius was set reflecting the results of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's "Outdoor Exposure Assessment Study on Secondhand Smoke (2021)," which recommends maintaining a distance of at least 10 meters from smokers to prevent secondhand smoke exposure.

After a three-month guidance period, Seocho-gu plans to impose a fine of 50,000 KRW for smoking in the non-smoking zones starting June 19 through enforcement measures.

This designation is expected to contribute to eliminating blind spots in non-smoking areas. Until now, smoking around children's parks was only subject to guidance by the district office, with limitations in enforcement, raising the need for measures against secondhand smoke damage.

The designation also reflects residents' requests to establish non-smoking zones around children's parks. A random survey conducted by Seocho-gu from January to February with 2,349 residents showed that 89.1% supported the designation of non-smoking zones around children's parks. Among them, women in their 30s and 40s with infants and young children showed a support rate of 99.8%. Additionally, 70.1% reported experiencing secondhand smoke damage around children's parks.

During the guidance period, focused publicity efforts will be carried out through public-private cooperation to improve awareness of non-smoking. The 'Seocho Non-Smoking Coaching Team,' composed of female parents, will guide participation in non-smoking zones and clinics, and 'Playground Guardians' who ensure the safety of children using the parks will be deployed in various locations to encourage smokers to comply. Seocho-gu has installed promotional banners and information signs around the parks and will strengthen guidance activities through non-smoking enforcement officers.

Seocho-gu expects this initiative to help create a pleasant street environment by preventing secondhand smoke exposure and reducing the illegal disposal of cigarette butts. Future plans include monitoring, satisfaction surveys, and effectiveness analysis to secure practical results and utilize them in various non-smoking policies.

Mayor Jeon Seong-su of Seocho-gu stated, "Through this designation of non-smoking zones, we hope to protect the health of future generations from secondhand smoke and establish a good example leading the nationwide non-smoking culture." He added, "We will continue to promote non-smoking policies that residents can feel and create a healthy city Seocho."