Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Whistleblower]

I was reading on the news in the UK about train platforms, bars, businesses, taxis and restaurants now are areas that you cannot smoke.

The number of times I wished to tell someone to stop smoking in the toilets is uncountable.

However, do you think this would ever happen in Korea? Would it be successful? Currently in Korea, they have those adverts "Say No" to smoking and I am just wondering whether this is clutch at something. Could you imagine someone walking up to a drunk adjoshi and telling them to stop smoking. They would probably get punched by the man in question.

[Stevie_B]

It worked in Ireland, ergo cognito, it'll work here.

[polonius]

Slowly but surely, I think it might happen.

They banned smoking in stairwells of office building, as well as in family restaurant chains such as Outback and TGIF's.

Like with every nation, there is an initial uproar. In Canada when the bars went smoke-free, all the owners said they would lose their businesses. Now I hear that they are happy to have a smoke free environment.

Korea needs to bump up the price of cigarettes too. I went home last month and it was $10 for a pack. I would quit smoking if I had to pay that much, but paying $2 a pack, I feel I need to smoke while I can afford it.

[Yaya]

Korea can ban smoking, but enforcement will be a big issue. I see Koreans smoking right next to a sign saying "No Smoking" all the time, and I feel like whacking them in the face.

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

this has happened in many other countries alreayd...

Nz, Australia....

doubt itll ever happen here.

Its part of "Korean culture". you cant stop me smoking in a hospital dammit!

[Whistleblower]

I would not be surprised if a patient asked for an ash tray in a Korean hospital.

[tefain]

[Ut videam]

[PRagic]

This is the only place I've ever been where people smoke directly in front of the 'NO SMOKING' signs. Classic. They also make illegal reprints of books, including the page that reads 'DO NOT PRINT THIS BOOK'.

Hey, at least they're consistent.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Whether places are or are not smoking areas in Korea will continue to be determined by whether the most senior person present is a smoker or doesn't care about it.

[losing_touch]

They have been largely successful in Thailand which is also a backwards place. As mentioned, enforcement has been the main problem. You cannot smoke ever in 90% of the places. However, there are a few around town that break the law in Bangkok. I walked into a somewhat famous bar called Wongs the other day, and I was stunned to see ashtrays on every table and all over the bar! This is a small, out of the way place. In some bars, they might pull out the ashtrays after midnight or so when the chance of getting caught is low.

I would imagine that Korea can do it if they can do it here!

[princess]

Singapore has a smoking ban in most places and I think it's nice to be able to go out and not end up smelling like and breathing other people's smoke. Just my two cents.

[PRagic]

However, I think cigar bars should be grandfathered in!

[Yesterday]

Easy problem to fix..

Just do what Australia did - raise the price of a packet of ciggarettes up to 17,000won ~ 20,000won...

nobody can afford to smoke anymore...

[samd]

Ashtrays all over the place in Koreatown LA. Cafes, bars, restaurants.