Seocho District Holds Activity Evaluation Meeting for "Our Neighborhood Tag Team" Preventing Illegal Alcohol and Tobacco Sales

Monitored 660 Retailers and Conducted 2,491 Campaigns This Year

Seocho District in Seoul (District Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will hold the 2025 activity evaluation meeting for the community monitoring group "Our Neighborhood Tag Team," which works to prevent illegal sales of alcohol and tobacco to minors, at the Health Promotion Center on the first basement floor of the Seocho District Health Center on December 18.

The "Our Neighborhood Tag Team" conducted monitoring activities this year targeting 660 liquor and tobacco retailers in the area. Provided by Seocho District.

The evaluation meeting will begin with an introduction to this year's activities, followed by a viewing of a video featuring the members' efforts and a time to share their thoughts. The event will also recognize outstanding participants and discuss the direction for next year's activities based on feedback from the field, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of youth protection efforts.

Since 2017, the "Our Neighborhood Tag Team" has been working to block minors from purchasing alcohol and tobacco and to foster a healthy community environment. A total of 42 residents of various ages, who are well-acquainted with the unique characteristics of each area, participate from all 18 neighborhoods in Seocho District. This year, after appointing new members in March, the group conducted two capacity-building training sessions and carried out monitoring activities targeting 660 liquor and tobacco retailers in the district during both the first and second halves of the year.

The monitoring activities included 2,491 campaigns, such as requesting ID checks during alcohol and tobacco sales and encouraging the display of stickers warning against illegal sales. This year, the campaign expanded its scope to include electronic cigarette retailers and strengthened nighttime monitoring, striving to identify "hidden electronic cigarette retailers in our neighborhood" and address blind spots. In November, the group also participated in a joint campaign to prevent excessive drinking held around Gyodae Station during "Alcohol Harm Prevention Month," contributing to efforts to establish a healthy drinking culture.

Seocho District Mayor Jeon Seong-su stated, "I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the Our Neighborhood Tag Team, who play a vital role as a safety net in our community to ensure that youth can grow up healthy." He added, "We will continue to do our utmost, together with the community, to block harmful environments for youth and support the healthy development of our children."