The government has escalated the level of regulations on smokers. Starting from July 1, the National Health Promotion Act banned indoor smoking in restaurants, cafes and PC rooms that are larger than 150 square meters. The government is aiming at protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoking by taking substantial actions.
According to the Korea Health Promotion Foundation's report, the prohibition of indoor smoking is expected to lower the risk of heart attack by 40 percent. However, it's doubtful whether this procedure has had a positive effect on both smokers and non-smokers. Instead of increasing taxes on cigarettes, the government made public indoor places non-smoking areas. However, it failed to induce smokers to stop smoking as they will smoke in the streets, threatening the health of pedestrians.
The government has intended to protect citizens from the danger of secondhand smoking through the new regulations, but it overlooked how the smokers would react to them. Since smokers can no longer smoke indoors, large crowds of smokers blow smoke into the air in front of building entrances.
Some businesses and train stations have arranged places for smokers in response to the regulations. These efforts will be welcomed by smokers, but public smoking rooms lack in number and size.
Baseball stadiums are one of the public places where I remember seeing many smokers. Smoking in a baseball stadium was only allowed in restricted places. However, the size of the smoking room was so small that it couldn't hold all the smokers who try to light up. Many smokers had to smoke outside the designated areas. Even worse, the location of the smoking room is directly in front of the bathroom which makes many people exposed to hazardous air. This shows that the government implemented new regulations without closely identifying the anticipated problems.
The government worsened the situation by making a hasty announcement that it would expand the ban of smoking in bars, restaurants and cafes from 2015. It is understandable that the government is eager to lower the number of smokers, but it should have closely considered the factors concerned before making such decisions.
What the government failed to notice is why South Korea has a high rate of smokers in the world. People become smokers for various reasons, such as to relieve stress or to feel pleasant. However, the main reason for the high rate of smokers is due to the low cost of cigarettes. As cigarettes in South Korea cost only $2.40 per pack, the price isn't really a burden for smokers.
It is not easy to satisfy smokers and non-smokers at the same time, but the government should not compromise their rights for others. We hope that the government will realize the current problems and come up with better solutions.
Shin Chang-hoon
Student at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
According to the Korea Health Promotion Foundation's report, the prohibition of indoor smoking is expected to lower the risk of heart attack by 40 percent. However, it's doubtful whether this procedure has had a positive effect on both smokers and non-smokers. Instead of increasing taxes on cigarettes, the government made public indoor places non-smoking areas. However, it failed to induce smokers to stop smoking as they will smoke in the streets, threatening the health of pedestrians.
The government has intended to protect citizens from the danger of secondhand smoking through the new regulations, but it overlooked how the smokers would react to them. Since smokers can no longer smoke indoors, large crowds of smokers blow smoke into the air in front of building entrances.
Some businesses and train stations have arranged places for smokers in response to the regulations. These efforts will be welcomed by smokers, but public smoking rooms lack in number and size.
Baseball stadiums are one of the public places where I remember seeing many smokers. Smoking in a baseball stadium was only allowed in restricted places. However, the size of the smoking room was so small that it couldn't hold all the smokers who try to light up. Many smokers had to smoke outside the designated areas. Even worse, the location of the smoking room is directly in front of the bathroom which makes many people exposed to hazardous air. This shows that the government implemented new regulations without closely identifying the anticipated problems.
The government worsened the situation by making a hasty announcement that it would expand the ban of smoking in bars, restaurants and cafes from 2015. It is understandable that the government is eager to lower the number of smokers, but it should have closely considered the factors concerned before making such decisions.
What the government failed to notice is why South Korea has a high rate of smokers in the world. People become smokers for various reasons, such as to relieve stress or to feel pleasant. However, the main reason for the high rate of smokers is due to the low cost of cigarettes. As cigarettes in South Korea cost only $2.40 per pack, the price isn't really a burden for smokers.
It is not easy to satisfy smokers and non-smokers at the same time, but the government should not compromise their rights for others. We hope that the government will realize the current problems and come up with better solutions.
Shin Chang-hoon
Student at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
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