Korea: Subway Stations Set to Have Smoking Booths

Source from:  The Korea Times 02/16/2016

Smoking booths are expected to be allowed near subway station exits in Seoul, following a revision to a related ordinance.

Seoul city councilors Choi Pan-sul and Kim Hea-rean said Monday that they proposed the revision in order to remove the clause that banned smoking zones near subway exits.

Last year, the councilors proposed a bill to designate 10 meters within subway station exits as non-smoking zones. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect in April with the aim of establishing a ban on smoking at 1,662 exits across the capital.

But smokers strongly opposed the new rule, saying they had to walk outside the zones to light up, Choi said.

"At the same time, if smokers smoke outside these zones, non-smokers would still be exposed to second-hand smoking," he said. "So we decided to revise the rule so that booths can be established."

In addition, the ban was contrary to the National Health Promotion Law, which allows enclosed smoking zones in areas where smoking is prohibited.

The National Assembly, government and other public organization buildings have smoking rooms, according to Choi.

Daegu and Incheon also have clauses that permit smoking booths in areas where smoking is banned, such as parks and bus stations.

In Seoul, bus stations will not have smoking booths because space does not allow.

"We expect the revised ordinance to prevent the harm of second-hand smoking, protect the rights of smokers as well as reduce the dumping of cigarette butts, that will make streets cleaner," Choi said.

According to the city council, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is in favor of the move. The SMG said this month that it was considering putting smoking booths in areas designated as non-smoking zones as early as within the second half of this year.

The council plans to pass the revision during a provisional meeting on Feb. 24. Enditem