"Smoking Prohibited in Front of Convenience Stores"... Guro District Launches Pilot No-Smoking Campaign

Pilot Campaign to Address Secondhand Smoke at Outdoor Convenience Store Tables
Guidance and Awareness Activities at 10 Locations Until the End of This Month

Guro District in Seoul (District Mayor: Jang Inhong) is conducting a pilot campaign to create a smoke-free environment in front of convenience stores, targeting more than 10 convenience stores in the district until the end of this month.

A no-smoking notice is installed on an outdoor table of a convenience store in Guro District. Provided by Guro District.

This campaign was launched in response to the increasing complaints and harm caused by secondhand smoke from smoking at outdoor tables. Instead of enforcement, the district has focused this campaign on improving the environment and shifting public perception, aiming to create a pleasant street environment and promote a voluntary no-smoking culture. The goal is to raise residents' awareness of smoke-free zones and reduce smoking behavior.

The campaign targets convenience stores registered as food service businesses under the Food Sanitation Act, where either complaints about secondhand smoke have occurred within the past year or outdoor tables are in operation. Through on-site inspections, 10 locations were selected.

The selected convenience stores received materials such as no-smoking notices, posters, and QR codes linked to the National Smoking Cessation Support Service. Additional notices are provided if necessary. Store owners are given educational materials and cooperation letters regarding the no-smoking initiative, and are also supplied with hygiene items such as hand sanitizing tissues to encourage voluntary participation.

The campaign will run until the end of this month. Its effectiveness will be analyzed by evaluating indicators such as the reduction of smoking behavior, increase in non-smoking users, and improvement in awareness of smoke-free zones before and after the project. Based on these results, the district will decide whether to continue or expand the initiative.

Jang Inhong, Mayor of Guro District, stated, "Smoking is not just a personal freedom but a public issue that affects the health of others. Through this project, I hope we can take the first step toward creating a smoke-free environment that residents can truly experience."