[Intl-tobacco] S. Korea: No Smoking Areas to Be Drastically Increased]

[Robert Weissman]

No Smoking Areas to Be Drastically Increased
Source: Chosun Ilbo, 2001-11-20

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced a comprehensive
smoking prohibition plan on Tuesday, which restricts smoking in the
Central Government Complex, kindergartens, elementary, middle and
high schools, hospitals and clinics, effective as early as September
2002.  The ministry said the anti-smoking measures have been
prepared as the male smoking rate is some 68.2%, marking it the
highest in the world, and the underage and female smoking population
is rapidly increasing.

The smoking prohibition plan states that smoking at outdoor stadiums
with capacity over 1,000 seats will banned and isolated smoking
areas will be required upon revising related clauses in the National
Health Promotion Act.  In addition, 'manhwabang,' comic books rental
and reading stations, and PC stations, where youngsters frequent,
will be designated as smoking-free zones, and restaurants with more
than 50 seats or over 355 square-feet will be required to separate
smoking and non-smoking sections.  The violation of the newly
imposed restriction will incur the building owners a W5 million
fine, a huge increase from the current W1 million.

MOHW will also ban tobacco vending machines in smoking areas to
reduce underage smoking, and will reward those who report shops
illegally selling cigarettes to minors.  In addition, cigarette
makers will be required to identify ingredients, such as nicotine
and tar, as well as give a warning message and images to campaign
against the harmful influence of smoking.

(Kim Dong-seob, dskim@chosun.com)