Osan City Designates Entire Oschaek Market Arcade Area as No-Smoking Zone

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Lee Su-won] Osan City announced on the 5th that it has designated the entire arcade area (1,225m) within Oschaek Market as a no-smoking zone starting this month.

The city pursued the no-smoking zone designation in cooperation with the Oschaek Market Merchants Association in consideration of preventing secondhand smoke exposure for customers using the market and nearby merchants, as well as the market environment where cigarette butts could lead to large-scale fires.

To designate the no-smoking zone, a vote among market merchants was conducted, followed by a survey of nearby residents and users. The no-smoking zone designation was completed last month.

In the designated section, promotional activities for the no-smoking zone and guidance for smokers will continue until October 31, and from November 1, smokers will face a 50,000-won fine for smoking in the arcade area.

Additionally, to help the no-smoking zone become established, a permanent mobile smoking cessation clinic will operate on the second floor of the Oschaek Market Customer Support Center from mid-September to assist market merchants and users in quitting smoking.

Mayor Lee Kwon-jae of Osan City said, "The no-smoking zone designation is expected to increase satisfaction among customers visiting traditional markets and contribute to revitalizing the local economy," and added, "We will actively work to create a no-smoking environment to protect citizens from secondhand smoke and prevent fires."