Seoul City is planning to have a “zero-level secondhand smoke” city. On March 16, city officials announced that smoking will be prohibited in public areas in Seoul such as streets, major squares, parks and schools. The purpose of this policy is to respect the rights and protect the health of non-smokers.
The city designated Seoul Square, Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggye Square as well as 16 “Design Seoul” streets, which are one of Seoul’s city-planning projects, as no-smoking areas. To help citizens acknowledge the area as a smoke-free zone, the city will engrave anti-smoking logos on the streets, which will be designed using granite.

Smoke-free policy will be expanded to restaurants as well and those participating in this system will be offered tax incentives in return. Areas within 200 meters of schools will also be appointed as smoke-free zones so that students will be protected from secondhand smoke. In addition, increasing numbers of apartment complexes are planning to take part in the no-smoking apartment system.
Meanwhile, Seoul City is scheduling a variety of no-smoking campaigns such as the Seoul citizens’ walking festival which will be held on May 16.