Seoul’s Seocho District is launching an innovative QR code-based service on September 9 to help residents and visitors locate designated smoking and non-smoking areas. (Image courtesy of Seocho District)
SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – In a tech-savvy approach to curbing public smoking, Seoul’s Seocho District is launching an innovative QR code-based service on September 9 to help residents and visitors locate designated smoking and non-smoking areas.
The service, which expands on a pilot program initiated last year, allows users to scan QR codes on specially designed information boards to find outdoor smoking and non-smoking zones within a 200-meter radius.
Following successful trials at 98 high-smoking locations, the district has refined the system and increased coverage to 300 sites.
“We are the first local government in South Korea to use QR codes to guide people to smoking and non-smoking areas,” a district official stated.
“Our year-long pilot program has already shown a reduction in smoking within non-smoking zones.”
As an example, the area around Gangnam Express Bus Terminal saw a 25% decrease in smoking violations after the installation of these information boards.
The QR code boards, measuring 20 cm wide by 30 cm tall, prominently display the code in the center. Each of the 300 QR codes is uniquely linked to its location, eliminating the need for users to consent to location-based services separately.
Once scanned, the code directs users to a web-based map where smoking areas are marked with red icons and non-smoking zones with blue lines. The system also includes pop-up windows promoting smoking cessation services and provides information on local smoking cessation clinics.
The QR code boards, measuring 20 cm wide by 30 cm tall, prominently display the code in the center. (Image courtesy of Seocho District)
Seocho District plans to expand this initiative by creating warning signs with QR codes for areas with frequent smoking-related complaints. Building owners can also request these information boards for their properties, subject to on-site verification.
This project is part of Seocho’s broader “Seocho QR Non-Smoking Initiative.” Previously, the district pioneered the inclusion of smoking cessation education QR codes on paper citations issued to individuals caught smoking in prohibited areas.
Seocho has been at the forefront of anti-smoking policies in South Korea. In March, it became the first district nationwide to designate areas within 10 meters of children’s parks as non-smoking zones.
It also operates the Seocho Smoking Cessation Coaching Team, the first initiative of its kind in the country. These efforts have yielded results, with Seocho recording the highest number of smoking violation citations (14,779) among Seoul’s districts last year.
Consequently, the district reported the lowest smoking rate (11.4%) in Seoul according to the 2023 community health survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Jeon Seongsu, the head of Seocho District, expressed his hopes for the new system: “We expect these QR code information boards to help prevent secondhand smoke exposure. We will continue to implement effective non-smoking policies to create a healthier Seocho.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
