![[theqoo] IF IT’S GOING TO BE LIKE THIS, DON’T SELL CIGARETTES… SMOKERS BOILING](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjvhKlkC9lhIZvGkNCQlkiIW4yDiKYLFjMjimVsklfP35X8BJ9nJhU_a9ZJsAE91Z8V-SSfYMcFrCR7H4FCQUkMVQ9OdXXm1aQuoBQ1BNnJdPowlH7RdvZjFUAxlUFQQNOMOgc7S1wDWF11y2Abdm8pkxR7tLFqGZHegXLXJHdFhND_wU4wteNfNmOOqgu=w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu "[theqoo] IF IT’S GOING TO BE LIKE THIS, DON’T SELL CIGARETTES… SMOKERS BOILING")
“If it’s like this, it’s basically the same as telling us not to smoke at all. There are far too few smoking areas, and even when you find one, it’s so crowded you can barely get in. If that’s the case, why not just ban smoking by law altogether?”
Song (36), an office worker interviewed on the morning of the 29th at a smoking area in Yeouido, Seoul, said, “Finding a smoking area has become stressful.” The smoking booth he had just exited was so packed with around ten commuters on their way to work that there was hardly any room to stand. Smokers who couldn’t find space ended up smoking outside the booth.
Smokers’ frustration has grown further in connection with the revised Tobacco Business Act, which took effect on the 24th. The amendment regulates liquid-type e-cigarettes in the same way as conventional cigarettes and imposes a fine of up to 100,000 won if someone is caught using them in non-smoking areas. Demand for smoking booths has surged, while supply has remained the same, leading to overcrowding.
“No smoking areas, only enforcement”… smokers’ complaints
Smokers interviewed that day criticized government policies focused on stricter enforcement. Kim (34), an office worker, said, “Does it make sense to crack down when there aren’t even enough smoking areas?” He added, “The right approach would be to impose fines only after providing sufficient designated smoking areas, and then penalizing those who still smoke outside them.”
Some also argue that smokers are not being adequately considered, given the taxes and charges included in cigarette prices. A single pack of cigarettes includes a total of 3,323 won in taxes and levies […]This amounts to 73.8% of the retail price (4,500 won).
Lee (30), another office worker, said, “Even when you search for smoking booths on the street, they often don’t show up,” adding, “If the government is collecting taxes from smokers, shouldn’t it guarantee their right to smoke as well?”
The need for more smoking areas is also raised by non-smokers. Kwon (27) said, “When I run into people smoking on the street, it annoys me first,” emphasizing, “If we want to eliminate street smoking, we need to provide enough designated smoking areas.”
Seoul has 99 public smoking booths… 11 districts have ‘zero’
The shortage of public smoking areas in Seoul is also evident in the numbers. According to data from the Seoul Open Data Plaza, as of January this year, there were only 99 public outdoor smoking booths across the city, excluding 37 booths installed in Hangang Park.
Given that last year’s adult smoking rate in Seoul was 14%, the number of smokers is estimated at 1.13 million. Excluding Hangang Park, this means there is roughly one public smoking booth for every 10,000 smokers.
There are also significant disparities between districts. Seocho District has 40 smoking areas (about 40% of the total) while 11 districts, including Songpa, Gangdong, and Jungnang, do not have a single public smoking area.
These figures only include facilities directly installed by the city or district governments. Privately installed smoking facilities, such as those in large buildings, are not counted separately. While including them would increase the total number, many are not open to the public.
Seoul City: “Following central government policy, but reviewing necessary locations”
Seoul City explained that the shortage is due to limited budgets for smoking areas and central government guidelines to minimize their installation. A city official said, “The budget for smoking areas cannot be drawn from the national anti-smoking program funds and must be separately secured and executed by local governments,” adding, “Central government guidelines to expand non-smoking zones while minimizing smoking areas have also played a role.”
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The official added, “To prevent secondhand smoke damage, we are considering installing public smoking facilities only in highly crowded areas where they are absolutely necessary.”
1. Let’s go
2. Then stop buying cigarettes
3. Good good, now let’s stop selling them
4. I want to live in a country without any cigarettes. Cigarette butts are so freaking disgusting
5. Please, don’t sell it and don’t smoke it… And why do you smokers throw your butts on the ground? If you look at the alley next to my parents’ shop, every single person throws their butts on the ground or down the drain. Last year, the alley even flooded because of that… You bastards… I don’t consider smokers to be human beings
6. It would be better not to sell it. Do you really want to smoke while being treated like that? Just quit while you’re at it
7. Good good!!! Let’s make it outlaw. I’ve been so angry and stressed lately because I’ve encountered so many street smokers
8. Let’s just all quit together
9. ㅋㅋ Why is it so funny how they complain about taxes? Paying that peanuts for cigarettes and then complaining about taxes f*ck ㅋㅋㅋㅋ The reality is, even if there is a smoking booth, people don’t go in; they just smoke right next to it
10. Then let’s just stop selling cigarettes. It’s better for everyone to quit