Korean Job Discussion Forums

[FDNY]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/11/116_124572.html

However, I think this will be a law similar to:

-stopping at red lights
-driving motorbikes on the sidewalk
-parking on sidewalks
-littering

In my opinion Korean politicians are useless. The laws they pass are mindless copies of laws other countries pass. The police who enforce these laws are self-serving amateurs and totally inneffective.

Bottom line: Bring your smokes to restaurants. No problems.

[Kimchifart]

[schwa]

The govt is currently hosting a big international anti-tobacco conference so they had to issue some kind of statement. 2020 is pretty remote. A lot of restaurants have already gone non-smoking but Korea is & will remain a relative haven for smokers for a good while yet.

[SwissJames]

I'm sure I heard all of this chat back in about 2005.

[Steelrails]

[Unibrow]

That is crap. I want to smoke in a restaurant. If you don't like it, find a non smoking place.

[JustinC]

Smoking is possible in many countries in Europe and all sorts of public places. I wouldn't say the German, Spanish, French, Polish, Austrian etc politicians are useless, they perform the task of puppets of the banks with admiral doggedness.

t/jack

[newb]

I heard 99% of Korean law makers smoke. Those ajussies and ajummas will smoke anywhere they like because they are the law makers.

[Scorpion]

Of course the prohibition of smoking in restaurants and pubs is possible. These laws are enacted and enforced across most of North America. Now it's second nature. I never see smokers even thinking of lighting up in a pub or restaurant back home.

Unfortunately, this is Korea which lacks four basic elements for this to be effective.

- enforcement by the restaurant or pub
- enforcement by the police
- a sense of civic responsibility
- an understanding that rules apply to everyone (including you ajoshi)

Not going to happen here. How's the law against motorcycles on Seoul's sidewalks progressing? Wasn't that enacted four years ago.

[drydell]

Korea has been going a weird direction with banning smoking..
Total prohibition in various outside areas like some parks and beaches.. which even I as a militant born again non-smoker find a bit excessive.. But not following other countries (for a long time it seems) in a ban at all eateries and bars.. daft..

I think if it was enacted it would be followed and enforced..I can see Koreans making complaints to staff against rule breaking smokers (no confrontation needed) - they can't really do the same with a pavement motorcyclists unless they chase them and confront them directly..