Korean Media: South Korea to Enforce a Comprehensive Smoking Ban Next Year, Even Smoking Rooms Will

According to Reference News on December 12,  foreign media reported that starting from January 1 next year, South Korea will implement a comprehensive smoking ban. Smoking will be prohibited in all public places such as restaurants, cafes, bars, and internet cafes.

According to the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo on December 12, the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare stated on the 11th that "the amendment to the National Health Promotion Act of 2011 stipulated that smoking bans would be gradually implemented according to the size of dining establishments. However, the stipulated period has ended, and starting next year, all ordinary restaurants, including bars, regardless of size, will be prohibited from smoking."

The head of the Health Promotion Division of the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare stated: "From next year, if smoking occurs in non-smoking areas such as restaurants, a fine of 100,000 won (approximately 560 RMB) will be imposed, and we hope smokers will refrain from smoking in restaurants." Additionally, according to the Korean Tobacco Business Act and the National Health Promotion Act, e-cigarettes are also classified as tobacco products, and smoking them in non-smoking areas will face the same fines.

Starting next year, the "smoking rooms" set up in major cafes, internet cafes, and bars in South Korea will also disappear. Smoking rooms, which are separated from external spaces by glass walls, allowed smokers to smoke without disturbing other guests. However, starting next year, if owners are found to continue operating "smoking rooms," they will be fined 1.7 million won (approximately 9,546 RMB). If necessary, smoking rooms can be set up separately, but they must be completely enclosed spaces equipped with professional ventilation systems; smoking rooms cannot have tables or chairs, nor can they sell beverages.

The South Korean Ministry of Welfare stated: "We will work with local governments to conduct a month-long education and publicity campaign targeting owners, and we also plan to focus on regulating smokers in public places such as internet cafes, bars, and bus terminals."