(Image: Stripes Korea)
Although the smoking rate has been trending down in South Korea, according to the Yonhap News Agency, you’ll still see office workers and others congregating for a nicotine fix near designated smoking areas around the country.
Government officials have long been cracking down on cigarette-use and vaping, so there are many laws and etiquette for smokers to follow. If you plan to smoke tobacco while in South Korea, make sure to keep these in mind before lighting up.
SMOKING AGE
In Korea, individuals born in or before 2006 can purchase alcohol and tobacco starting Jan. 1, 2025, regardless of their birthday. Under Korea’s unique age system, 20-year-olds can legally purchase alcohol and tobacco (18-19 years of age by international standards). However, according to DOD policy, for U.S. military personnel, DoD civilian employees and their dependents, the legal age is still 21 for purchasing and consuming alcohol and tobacco products.
ITEMS AFFECTED BY SMOKING REGULATIONS
Smoking regulations apply to all tobacco products for smoking, sucking, inhaling or chewing. This includes cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or vapes (using either tobacco or nicotine liquid), pipe tobacco, leaf tobacco and other related products.
NON-SMOKING AREAS
1.Indoor smoking
Most public indoor areas, including restaurants, cafés, internet cafés (PC bangs), rest stops, accommodations, concert halls, government buildings, hospitals, public transportation, schools, educational facilities and sports centers are non-smoking zones. These areas must display a no-smoking sign. Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas, which may or may not be installed depending on the location.
2.Outdoor Smoking
Smoking is not illegal on the streets, even in front of restaurants or cafés, unless there are no-smoking signs. However, you will rarely see people smoking while walking on the street, near entrances or in crowded areas out of courtesy to others.
High-traffic areas like subway entrances, bus stops, parks, and plazas are usually designated non-smoking zones by local governments. Outdoor smoking regulations vary by district, so always check for no-smoking signs before lighting up.
In Seoul, for example, areas like Yeouido Han River Park, Gwanghwamun Plaza and Cheonggyecheon Plaza are designated as non-smoking zones, but you will find smoking booths nearby. Smoking at all cultural heritage sites, nature parks and areas adjacent to forests is also prohibited.
3.Strictly protected non-smoking areas
Strict anti-smoking rules also apply within a 30-meter radius of educational institutions like kindergartens, daycare centers, elementary, middle, and high schools. Many of these have CCTV and locals are encouraged to report those who violate the rule to the public health center, so avoid smoking in these areas.
FINES
4.Fine for smoking in a non-smoking area: 100,000 won.
5.Fine for littering cigarette butts in public: 200,000 won.
(Photo courtesy of 123RF)
