Korea No-Smoking Zones: Stricter Rules for Schools

No-Smoking Zones Korea: Law Implemented to Protect Children

Korea No-smoking zones will be established within 30 meters of daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary, middle, and high schools starting from August 17, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced, with fines of up to 100,000 KRW imposed for violations.

This measure is part of an amendment to the National Health Promotion Act, which expands the existing no-smoking zones around daycare centers and kindergartens from 10 meters to 30 meters, and establishes new no-smoking zones around elementary, middle, and high schools.

The law will be implemented after a one-year grace period, with the primary goal of protecting children and adolescents from secondhand smoke and promoting their health.

Local governments are required to install signs indicating these no-smoking zones on building walls, fences, and sidewalks. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, along with the Korea Health Promotion Institute, plans to produce and distribute related promotional materials.

Baek Kyung-taek, Director of the Health Policy Bureau, stated, “The expansion of no-smoking zones around educational facilities is a necessary step to protect the health of children and adolescents who are vulnerable to secondhand smoke,” adding that efforts to create a smoke-free environment in local communities will continue.

Editor 메디마스터
^{Provided by: MOHW}