Starting July 1, Jungnang District in Seoul has designated eight taxi stands within the district as non-smoking areas and is strengthening its anti-smoking policies to protect residents' health.
Until now, the district has designated outdoor public spaces such as urban parks, plazas, and school commuting routes as non-smoking areas, and has protected residents from secondhand smoke through continuous patrols and enforcement. However, despite being transportation facilities used by many residents, taxi stands had been excluded from non-smoking zones, resulting in ongoing complaints about smoking.
This measure expands the designation of non-smoking areas to taxi stands?transportation facilities used by many residents?following existing non-smoking zones at bus stops and subway entrances. The new non-smoking zones include three locations in Sangbong-dong, one in Junghwa-dong, one in Muk-dong, two in Sinnae-dong, and one in Mangwoo-dong, with a 10-meter radius around each taxi stand included in the non-smoking area.
From July 1, the district will run a six-month period of public awareness and guidance, aiming to raise residents' awareness through various promotional activities such as installing non-smoking signs and pavement markings. After the guidance period ends on January 1 next year, a fine of 100,000 won will be imposed for smoking within the non-smoking areas.
Ryu Gyeonggi, Mayor of Jungnang District, stated, "Since these are public spaces used by everyone, the active participation and cooperation of residents are essential to creating a healthy urban environment," and added, "We will continue to expand non-smoking areas and carry out ongoing inspections and enforcement to make Jungnang cleaner and healthier."
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