The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Friday it is pushing to gradually impose a smoking ban for all restaurants in the country by 2016.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government also said it will enforce the all-out ban from 2014.

Currently, restaurants bigger than 150 square meters are required to allocate half of their space to smoking-free areas.

<YONHAP PHOTO-0500> 길거리 흡연 과태료 확대 (서울=연합뉴스) 김연정 기자 = 1일부터 서울 강남대로와 지하철 양재역 인근의 보행자 도로에서 길거리 흡연에 대한 과태료 부과가 시작된다. 사진은 1일 광화문광장에 설치된 담뱃갑 모양의 전시관. '담배 회사가 숨겨온 불편한 진실'이라는 주제로 전시회가 진행중이다. 2012.6.1 maum@yna.co.kr/2012-06-01 13:07:55/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2012 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> A large exhibition hall is established in downtown Seoul Friday to promote the government’s drive against smoking. Yonhap News
길거리 흡연 과태료 확대 (서울=연합뉴스) 김연정 기자 = 1일부터 서울 강남대로와 지하철 양재역 인근의 보행자 도로에서 길거리 흡연에 대한 과태료 부과가 시작된다. 사진은 1일 광화문광장에 설치된 담뱃갑 모양의 전시관. '담배 회사가 숨겨온 불편한 진실'이라는 주제로 전시회가 진행중이다. 2012.6.1 maum@yna.co.kr/2012-06-01 13:07:55/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2012 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> A large exhibition hall is established in downtown Seoul Friday to promote the government’s drive against smoking. Yonhap News

A large exhibition hall is established in downtown Seoul Friday to promote the government’s drive against smoking. (Yonhap News)

The announcement came on the same day that a law imposing 100,000 won ($86) fines on those caught smoking at 1,950 public spots in the capital came into effect. Underage violators will be fined half the amount.

Places where smoking is banned include Seoul, Gwanghwamun and Cheonggye plazas in downtown Seoul as well as large boulevards in southern Seoul, bus stops and parks.

According to the health authorities, a total of 85 local administrations have issued a smoking ban at outdoor spots as of Friday.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldm.com)


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com