Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nonsmoker]

Hi guys. I am new this this forum (nice to meet you all). I am looking into teaching in Korea. I used to smoke and I quit a little while ago because it's gross. I was wondering how the smoking situation in Korea is. Is smoking frowned upon over there or do a lot of people smoke? Are there any restaurants, etc. with nonsmoking zones? Basically, is it possible for me to live in Korea as a nonsmoker without feeling like a smoker because of all the second hand toxic fumes floating around?

[Bibbitybop]

Smoking is in most restaurants and bars. I even see smoking in Seoul in non-smoking restaurants.

The power to steer clear come from within.

[nonsmoker]

Well I just quit like 2 weeks ago. I've been doing good but I'm afraid that if I go to Korea and be surrounded by smokers and stress, I might start again....

[venus]

Ha ha. Smoking is not condoned in Korea - it is RELISHED!

Travellers to Korea in the 1800's remarked at how young Koreans started smoking. It was not uncommon to see 4 year old kids smoking tobbacoo out in the streets. Straight up.

Smoking is tolerated in every restaurant, bar, club, you name it. The bus drivers do it on the bus, the taxi drivers do it whilst driving.

Add the fact that a packet only costs 2,000 - 2,500 Won (around 2 US dollars)...

If you can quit here though, I'm sure you can quit ANYWHERE!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Are you a guy? If so, you're looking at the wrong country. If you're a girl you'll be suitably admonished if you do it in public.

[nonsmoker]

[Lunar Groove Gardener]

I had the same problem when I first arrived here three years ago. I had quit for six months and then lit up upon arrival. It took me 7 months of hard-core smoking to finally stop again. If you are going to be at the bar etc. you are not likely to abstain in any locale. I do not drink, so this was a huge asset in finally quitting. Yes, I opted out of the social scene altogether in order to achieve this important personal goal. After a ridiculous number of years smoking I have been quit for nearly 3. It can be done, but other habits and environments must be looked at carefully and modified in my opinion.

[seoulsucker]

This country is a smoker's paradise.

My favorite scene so far? Seeing a guy in a hospital gown wheeling around an IV drip outside while taking down a heater. F'n classic.

[RACETRAITOR]

One thing I like about smoking not being banned in many places is you won't encounter it in a really concentrated atmosphere anywhere.

[venus]

[Jizzo T. Clown]

I quit smoking about 6 months ago as well. I think the best thing to do is to start exercising, hiking, martial arts, whatever, so you don't really WANT to start up again. Fill the gap. Since I was the only smoker I knew, it was fairly easy for me to get away from the environment of cigarettes. In the ROK (if it's anything like Japan or China) I'm sure you'd have to work doubly hard to avoid smokers...

[cruisemonkey]

An 'older', Korean, male smoker will light up where ever he wants.

The assistant superintendent (financial) of my school district smokes in public schools when he wants to. Who's going to stop him?

[Pak Yu Man]

There's no smoking 'laws' in Korea but they are ignored, just like every other small law.

No smoking in elevators....happens all the time.
No smoking in Gov buildings...you'll see teachers (Korean) smoking in their schools.

No smoking in uni offices...ya right.
I've even seen a guy smoking in the hospital, near the pregnancy ward. I told the nurse and she shrugged her shoulders and smiled at me.
Both her and the smoker need a slap upside the head.

[ella]

[Novernae]