No-Smoking Zones Expanded to 30m Radius Around Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Kap-dong] Following amendments to the National Health Promotion Act, no-smoking zones around daycare centers, kindergartens, and schools will be expanded to within 30 meters from the facility boundary starting on the 17th.

Specifically, new provisions designate the area within 30 meters from the facility boundary of elementary, middle, and high schools as no-smoking zones, while the existing no-smoking zones around daycare centers and kindergartens, previously set at within 10 meters from the facility boundary, are being expanded to within 30 meters.

In response, Gyeonggi Province plans to conduct continuous promotion through the production and distribution of promotional materials to raise awareness of the changes to no-smoking regulations and increase residents' awareness of smoking cessation. A fine of 100,000 won will be imposed for smoking in no-smoking zones.

Yu Young-cheol, Director of the Gyeonggi Province Health and Wellness Bureau, stated, "We ask for the cooperation of our residents so that children and adolescents can minimize the harm of secondhand smoke and grow up healthy in a smoke-free educational environment."

Meanwhile, the province is promoting smoking cessation projects through the Gyeonggi Smoking Cessation Support Team, including technical support and capacity building for public health center smoking cessation projects, development of promotional and educational materials, and building networks. For further inquiries, please contact the Gyeonggi Province Smoking Cessation Support Team (031-928-4138).