Upgraded open-type smoke-ventilation smoking facility installed at high-complaint location
Last year's nationwide first — three units installed — now improved with stronger smoke containment and greater convenience
Seoul's Seocho-gu has launched an upgraded open-type smoke-ventilation smoking facility — dubbed "Seocho Air Smoking Ver.2" — aimed at reducing secondhand smoke exposure and creating an environment where smokers and non-smokers can coexist.
The district first introduced air-curtain-equipped "Seocho Air Smoking" booths last year, installing three units along back streets near Gangnam Station — a nationwide first. The open-type ventilation facilities are designed to concentrate smoking in one spot while using air curtains and smoke-extraction and purification systems to limit the spread of cigarette smoke and odor to the surrounding area. Each unit measures 2 meters wide, 7.2 meters long and 3.4 meters tall, with a silver-white finish inspired by the Han River and a three-pillar support structure.
In keeping with WHO guidelines, more than 50 percent of the five surfaces — including walls and roof — are left open to reduce lingering odors and residue buildup that can occur in fully enclosed smoking facilities.
Drawing on operational feedback and on-site input gathered since the original units went into service, the district has installed a Ver.2 unit on the public sidewalk in front of the Gangnam Building at Jinheung Apartment intersection (396 Seocho-daero), an area that has generated frequent complaints. The new model focuses on stronger smoke containment, easier maintenance and a more refined design.
On the functional side, Ver.2 replaces the standard commercial air curtain used in the original units with a custom-built air curtain fitted with two general-purpose fans capable of maintaining output in both high-heat and low-temperature conditions, boosting airflow speed 1.5 to 2 times over the previous version. The upgrade is expected to curb the spread of cigarette smoke outdoors even in strong-wind conditions. The ashtray has also been redesigned as a seamless, integrated unit to prevent trash accumulation, and a one-touch locking mechanism makes opening, closing and cleaning easier.
On the design side, the upper smoke-extraction unit has been repositioned for better visual balance, and the lower air-curtain housing has been slimmed down for a sleeker profile. Tempered glass replaces acrylic for the partitions to minimize warping from temperature changes, and the canopy corners have been rounded for a more polished look. The columns and ashtray have also been unified in color to give the facility a more cohesive appearance.
The district said it expects the Ver.2 installation to help curb indiscriminate street smoking, minimize secondhand smoke harm and contribute to a more comfortable urban environment where smokers and non-smokers can share public spaces.
"The Seocho Air Smoking Ver.2 is an improved model designed to create an environment where smokers and non-smokers can coexist," Seocho-gu district mayor Jeon Seong-su said. "We will continue to incorporate on-site feedback to reduce secondhand smoke harm and build a smoke-free environment that residents can truly feel."
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