Seoul to expand no-smoking zones at subway entrances

Seoul, July 31 (IANS) The Seoul municipal government on Sunday said it planned to expand no-smoking zones at subway entrances in an effort to address public health concerns.

Under the changes that will go into effect as of September 1, people caught smoking within 10 metres of a subway entrance in the South Korean capital can be fined up to 100,000 won ($90), Yonhap News Agency reported.

It said a campaign has been launched in cooperation with the city's many wards to raise public awareness for the shift.

"Stickers and notices have been placed where needed to warn smokers of the changes and the penalties involved for violators," a city official said.

Seoul plans to conduct an intense campaign throughout August to get citizens to voluntarily avoid smoking near subway entrances.