The Yomiuri Shimbun said the country is in the process of banning smoking in public buildings like hospitals and schools by as early as this month. A government study claims that second-hand smoke negatively affects the vascular and respiratory systems of developing children.

As a result the Health Ministry is also attempting to prevent exposure to second-hand smoke in parks and near schools. In the case of restaurants and hotels, the government plans to separate smoking and non-smoking areas.

Arirang News