Smoking in Seoul: what visitors should know

In Seoul, smoking is banned inside most buildings and in many outdoor places. Use a designated smoking area and you can smoke without worrying about a fine.

No-smoking zones are everywhere

Inside most restaurants, cafés and bars (except separate smoking rooms)
Around bus stops and subway station entrances
Parks, squares and streets near schools that the city or district has designated

If you see a “금연구역” (No Smoking Area) sign on the ground or a wall, do not smoke there.

Fines

Smoking in a no-smoking zone can bring a fine of up to ₩100,000. The amount depends on the place and the district’s rules. Dropping cigarette butts can be fined too.

E-cigarettes count

Heated tobacco and liquid e-cigarettes are not allowed in no-smoking zones either.

How to find a smoking area

Open the map and tap the location button.
Tap the nearest pin to see where it is and what kind it is (outdoor, booth or indoor).
On site, look for a “흡연구역” (Smoking Area) sign.

Useful Korean words

흡연구역 (heup-yeon gu-yeok): smoking area
금연구역 (geum-yeon gu-yeok): no-smoking area
흡연실 (heup-yeon-sil): smoking room
흡연부스 (heup-yeon buseu): smoking booth

Buying cigarettes

You must be 19 or older to buy tobacco in Korea, and convenience stores may ask for ID.

Rules can change. Signs and staff on site always come first.

Last updated 2026-11-01