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Korea Smoking Rules for Travelers | No-Smoking Zones, Fines and Heated Tobacco

Updated 2026-10-15

Indoor public facilities in Korea are almost entirely no-smoking, and outdoors, places such as subway entrances, bus stops, the areas around schools, plazas and some streets are also no-smoking zones. This page summarizes the rules travelers should know, based on Seoul Metropolitan Government guidance and Korean news reports. It is not legal advice; for individual cases, follow the guidance of local public health centers.

Two kinds of no-smoking zones: by law and by ordinance

According to Seoul Metropolitan Government, no-smoking zones fall into two broad groups. One is no-smoking zones set by the National Health Promotion Act, which cover indoor public-use facilities such as schools, medical institutions, large buildings, indoor sports facilities, restaurants and internet cafes (PC bang). The other is no-smoking zones designated by local government ordinances, mainly outdoor places such as the areas around bus stops and subway entrances, parks and plazas.

Distance rules to watch outdoors

Places designated by Seoul city ordinance include Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza and Gwanghwamun Square, median-lane bus stops (the whole traffic island), within 10 m in every direction of subway entrances, and 24 city-managed urban parks such as Namsan, Seoul Forest and Yeouido Park. Places commonly designated by the districts include within 10 m of roadside bus stops, within 50 m of the entrances of elementary, middle and high schools (absolute protection zones), and urban parks. In addition, from August 17, 2024, the area within 30 m of the property boundary of daycare centers, kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools became a no-smoking zone by law (Medifonews, August 19, 2024). Smoking just after coming out of a subway exit, or while waiting at a bus stop, is subject to enforcement.

How much is the fine?

Smoking in a no-smoking zone set by law is subject to a fine of up to 100,000 won under the National Health Promotion Act. In no-smoking zones set by ordinance, the fine is 50,000 or 100,000 won depending on the district (Seoul Metropolitan Government guidance). Even just lighting a cigarette is subject to enforcement: according to guidelines from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and others reported by the Seoul Shinmun (March 19, 2019), enforcement was expanded from the act of smoking to the act of lighting up. Enforcement officers are also allowed to take photos as evidence.

Heated tobacco and e-cigarettes are treated the same

Heated tobacco products such as IQOS and lil also count as tobacco under Korea's Tobacco Business Act, and like regular cigarettes they are subject to enforcement in no-smoking zones (Seoul Shinmun, March 19, 2019). From April 24, 2026, liquid e-cigarettes using synthetic nicotine were also brought under regulation (Sijung Ilbo, April 21, 2026). The argument that it is vapor, not smoke, does not work. On the other hand, inside designated smoking areas and smoking booths, both cigarettes and heated tobacco or e-cigarettes can be used.

Some whole streets and plazas are no-smoking

More and more entire streets and plazas are being designated as no-smoking zones. The Seoul Station plaza area became a no-smoking zone on June 1, 2025, with a fine of 100,000 won for violations; however, the smoking booths managed by Korail are excluded from the designation (Seoul Shinmun, March 18, 2025). Gangnam-gu newly designated the sidewalks of Teheran-ro as a no-smoking street and began intensive enforcement on April 23, 2026. The sections are 700 m from Seolleung Station Exit 2 to the POSCO intersection and 685 m from the Cambridge Building to Yeoksam Station Exit 2 (Sijung Ilbo, April 21, 2026).

Littering cigarette butts carries a separate fine

Throwing a cigarette butt on the street is subject to a separate fine under the Wastes Control Act, apart from smoking. Throwing away a butt you were holding carries a fine of 50,000 won. Please use the ashtrays at designated smoking areas or the cigarette butt bins on the street.

When you fly

Liquid e-cigarettes and lighters cannot go in checked baggage and may only be carried on board (aviation dangerous goods rules). E-cigarette devices and spare batteries also cannot be checked under the lithium battery rules, and using or charging them on board is prohibited. At the airport, use the outdoor smoking areas before security screening and the smoking rooms in the duty-free area after departure. For locations by gate number, see the Incheon Airport Terminal 1 guide.

When in doubt, go to a designated smoking area

It is more reliable to find a designated smoking area first than to try to walk around no-smoking zones. The map on the English home page shows the smoking areas introduced in our guides and those registered in Korean public data. Place names are shown together with the Korean, so you can match them with on-site signs and map apps.

FAQ

Can I use IQOS in a no-smoking zone?

No. Heated tobacco is also treated as tobacco in Korea, and using it in a no-smoking zone is subject to a fine just like regular cigarettes. You can use it inside designated smoking areas.

How much is the fine?

Up to 100,000 won in no-smoking zones set by law, and 50,000 or 100,000 won depending on the district in zones set by ordinance (Seoul Metropolitan Government guidance). Littering a cigarette butt is subject to a separate fine of 50,000 won.

Can I smoke near a subway exit?

In Seoul, the area within 10 m in every direction of subway entrances is a no-smoking zone by ordinance. Please use a designated smoking area away from the exit.

Sources

Smoking area guides by place