Where can I smoke in Seoul?

Where Can I Smoke in Seoul?

Smoking is a common habit for many people, and it can be challenging to find a place to smoke in a foreign city. In Seoul, smoking is prohibited in most public places, including parks, streets, and public transportation. However, there are still some places where smokers can enjoy their cigarettes.

1. Smoking Rooms in Office Buildings

Many office buildings in Seoul have designated smoking rooms for their employees. These rooms are usually located on the ground floor or the basement of the building. If you work in an office building, you can ask your employer if they have a smoking room available.

2. Smoking Areas in Restaurants and Bars

Some restaurants and bars have smoking areas where customers can smoke while they eat or drink. These areas are usually separated from the non-smoking areas by a glass partition or a separate room. If you’re looking for a place to smoke while you enjoy a meal or a drink, look for places that have smoking areas.

3. Smoking Lounges at Airports

If you’re traveling through Seoul’s airports, you can find smoking lounges where you can smoke before your flight. These lounges are usually located near the departure gates and are free to use for passengers. However, you may need to show your boarding pass to enter the lounge.

4. Smoking Zones in Public Parks

Some public parks in Seoul have designated smoking zones where smokers can light up. These zones are usually located away from the main walking paths and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re visiting a park in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these designated smoking zones.

5. Smoking Areas in Hotels

Many hotels in Seoul have smoking areas for their guests. These areas are usually located on the ground floor or a designated floor and may be open 24 hours a day. If you’re staying at a hotel in Seoul and want to smoke, ask the front desk if they have a smoking area available.

6. Smoking Rooms at Karaoke Bars

Karaoke bars are a popular pastime in Seoul, and many of them have smoking rooms where customers can smoke while they sing. These rooms are usually equipped with ventilation systems to keep the air fresh. If you’re looking for a place to smoke and sing, look for karaoke bars that have smoking rooms.

7. Smoking Areas at Some Subway Stations

Some subway stations in Seoul have designated smoking areas where commuters can smoke before they catch their train. These areas are usually located near the exits and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re taking the subway in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these designated smoking areas.

8. Smoking Zones at Some Public Restrooms

Some public restrooms in Seoul have designated smoking zones where smokers can light up. These zones are usually located outside the restroom and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re looking for a place to smoke while you use the restroom, look for these designated smoking zones.

9. Smoking Areas at Some Tourist Attractions

Some tourist attractions in Seoul have designated smoking areas where visitors can smoke while they enjoy the view. These areas are usually located away from the main walking paths and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re visiting a tourist attraction in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these designated smoking areas.

10. Designated Smoking Areas in Some Shopping Malls

Some shopping malls in Seoul have designated smoking areas where shoppers can smoke while they take a break from shopping. These areas are usually located near the food court or the restrooms and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re looking for a place to smoke while you’re shopping, look for these designated smoking areas.

11. Smoking Rooms at Some Movie Theaters

Some movie theaters in Seoul have smoking rooms where moviegoers can smoke before or after the movie. These rooms are usually located near the entrance or the lobby and are equipped with ventilation systems to keep the air fresh. If you’re looking for a place to smoke and watch a movie, look for movie theaters that have smoking rooms.

12. Rooftop Smoking Areas at Some Buildings

Finally, some buildings in Seoul have rooftop smoking areas where smokers can enjoy their cigarettes with a view of the city. These areas are usually accessible by stairs or elevators and may be open 24 hours a day. If you’re looking for a unique place to smoke in Seoul, look for buildings that have rooftop smoking areas.

Can you smoke on street in Seoul?

Since July 2013, South Korea has implemented strict smoking bans in public areas. Those caught smoking face fines of ₩100,000 won, while shop owners who fail to comply with the law may be fined up to ₩5 million won.

Can you smoke in public places in Korea?

No smoking signs are more prevalent than designated smoking areas, making it difficult to know where smoking is allowed. Observing others in the area or locating areas with cigarette butts or ashtrays can help identify smoking zones. Additionally, smoking indoors is not allowed in South Korea.

Is smoking common in South Korea?

Various studies have calculated the rate of smoking among the population of South Korea. The World Health Organization’s report from 2017 indicates that in 2015, around 49.8% of adult Korean males and 4.2% of adult Korean females were identified as smokers.

How do you ask for cigarettes in Korea?

When asking for a cigarette, it is common for people to use phrases such as “excuse me, can I borrow a cigarette?” or “sorry, is it okay if I borrow a cigarette?” on most occasions.

How many cigarettes can I bring to Seoul?

The limit for duty-free purchases of cigarettes and fragrances has remained the same at 200 cigarettes and 60ml, respectively, as of September 6, 2022.

Is there a smoking area in Seoul Airport?

The Incheon Airport offers various amenities such as a spa, hotel, indoor gardens, smoking area, movie theater, duty-free shopping center, kids zone, observatory deck, and an exhibition/museum showcasing Korean culture.

13. Smoking Areas in Some Universities

Some universities in Seoul have designated smoking areas for their students, faculty, and staff. These areas are usually located outside the buildings or in designated smoking zones on campus. If you’re a smoker and attend or work at a university in Seoul, ask your school administration if they have designated smoking areas available.

14. Smoking Areas at Some Sports Stadiums

Some sports stadiums in Seoul have designated smoking areas where fans can smoke during games or events. These areas are usually located outside the stadium and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re attending a game or event at a sports stadium in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these designated smoking areas.

15. Smoking Areas on Some Beaches

Some beaches in Seoul have designated smoking areas where visitors can smoke while they enjoy the sun and the sand. These areas are usually located away from the main beach area and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re heading to the beach in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these designated smoking areas.

16. Outdoor Smoking Areas at Some Cafes

Some cafes in Seoul have outdoor smoking areas where customers can enjoy their coffee and cigarettes simultaneously. These areas may be located on a terrace or patio outside of the building and are usually marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re looking for a place to smoke while you enjoy your coffee, look for cafes that have outdoor smoking areas.

17. Designated Smoking Areas at Some Train Stations

Some train stations in Seoul have designated smoking areas where commuters can smoke before they board their train. These areas are usually located near the exits or platforms and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re taking the train in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these designated smoking areas.

18. Designated Smoking Areas at Some Bus Stops

Some bus stops in Seoul have designated smoking areas where commuters can smoke while they wait for their bus. These areas are usually located away from the main street and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re waiting for a bus in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these designated smoking areas.

19. Outdoor Smoking Areas at Some Markets

Some markets in Seoul have outdoor smoking areas where shoppers can enjoy their cigarettes while they browse the stalls. These areas are usually located on the side streets or alleys near the market and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re shopping at a market in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these designated smoking areas.

20. Outdoor Smoking Areas at Some Parks

In addition to designated smoking zones, some parks in Seoul may have outdoor smoking areas where visitors can smoke while they enjoy nature. These areas may be located near the park entrance or in a secluded area of the park and are marked with signs or ashtrays. If you’re visiting a park in Seoul and want to smoke, look for these outdoor smoking areas.