The Ministry of Health and Welfare said from Aug. 17 areas within 30 meters of daycare centers, kindergartens, and elementary, middle and high schools will be designated as non-smoking areas, and smoking in these will result in a fine of up to KRW 100,000. (Yonhap News)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

Starting from Aug. 17, areas within 30 meters of daycare centers, kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools will be designated as non-smoking areas, and those who break the regulation will face a fine of up to KRW 100,000.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Aug. 15 that more non-smoking areas will be introduced, along with other amendments to the National Health Promotion Act, which will take effect on Aug. 17.

The new smoking-ban is being expanded to areas within 30 m of daycare centers and kindergartens, from areas within 10 m. Under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, areas within 30 m of schools are also designated as non-smoking zones.

To inform people about the new smoking-ban areas, all city, county and district offices will need to install signs indicating smoking ban areas on building walls and sidewalks within the new areas. 

The director of the ministry’s health policy bureau, Bae Gyeong-taek, said, "Expanding non-smoking zones surrounding educational facilities are necessary measures to protect the health of children and teenagers who are vulnerable to indirect smoking."

 dusrud21@korea.kr