"Dislike Cigarette Smoke" Netizens Outraged by Butts Piled Up in Front of Kindergarten

College and Graduate Students Smoking in Kindergarten No-Smoking Zone
"Stop the Cigarette Smoke" Posters Ignored Despite Warnings

A post pointing out people smoking and even leaving cigarette butts behind in a no-smoking zone at a kindergarten, where a poster saying "No to cigarette smoke" is displayed, has sparked public outrage online.

Cigarette butts piled up on a bench in front of a kindergarten.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 9th, a post titled "Smokers are amazing" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Mr. A, shared several photos, stating, "Right in front is a kindergarten, and even though the kindergarten children placed herbs there, the attitude is 'I don't care'."

In the photos posted by Mr. A, a no-smoking poster is attached to the wall, featuring cute drawings by kindergarten students along with slogans such as "The Three Cigarette Villains," "They make our bodies sick," and "No to cigarette smoke." Additionally, on a bench in front of the kindergarten, there are signs saying "No to cigarette smoke," "Absolutely no smoking," and "When you want to smoke, count to 10 and smell the herb," with herbs placed alongside.

However, cigarette butts are piled up right next to the herbs and under the bench. Used disposable coffee cups are also discarded there. Mr. A lamented, "This kindergarten is near the lifelong education center of OO University in Seoul," adding, "Since it was the weekend, students were not at school, so only this many cigarette butts were found. On weekdays, university and graduate students come out, and the amount of cigarette butts is more than ten times this level." He continued, "There are about six bench seats, and all of them are used for smoking here," explaining the situation, "About 30 meters up, there is a designated smoking area in front of the dormitory. But with the mindset of 'I’m too lazy, so what can you do,' everyone smokes here."

Mr. A said, "It has been several years since the no-smoking zone was designated, but it seems useless," and added, "It is only about 10 meters away from the kindergarten. There is cigarette smell every day, and it is hard to clean up the cigarette butts. I want to ask how we can prevent people from smoking here."

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "This is why smokers get prejudice," "Do you want to smoke in front of a kindergarten?" "There’s no place to smoke, but smoking in front of a kindergarten is beastly," "Many people don’t even enter smoking booths because of the cigarette smell," "That’s really a nuisance," and "Don’t they think about their own families?"

Meanwhile, according to Article 9 (Measures for Smoking Cessation) of the National Health Promotion Act, smoking is prohibited within 10 meters from the boundary of childcare facilities (areas provided for general public passage and use). Violators may be punished with a fine of up to 100,000 won, detention, or a penalty.