South Korean Supreme Court Upholds Public Smoking Ban Ruling

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.06.2024
South Korean Supreme Court Upholds Public Smoking Ban Ruling
South Korea's highest court upheld a law designating public facilities, including crowded outdoor squares, as non-smoking areas, citing constitutionality.

According to a report by N.News on May 5th, the Supreme Court of South Korea recently ruled that the current law designating public facilities (including crowded outdoor plazas) as no-smoking zones is constitutionally valid.

 

The court unanimously ruled on April 25 that designating all public facilities (including outdoor spaces) as non-smoking areas under the National Health Promotion Act does not violate the constitution. The case originated in 2019 when a person named Park was fined for smoking on a bench outside a convention center in Busan, and the case ultimately appealed to the Supreme Court. The individual argued that designating such open areas as non-smoking zones was excessive.

 

However, the court also ruled unanimously on April 25 that Article 9, Section 4 of the National Health Promotion Law is in compliance with the constitution. Article 9 specifies that public facilities with an area of 1000 square meters or more should be designated as non-smoking areas.

 

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