North Korea Makes Move to Preserve 'Hygienic Living'

It involves smoking
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 5, 2020 12:03 AM CST
North Korea Bans Smoking in Many Public Places
In this image made from video broadcasted by North Korea's KRT, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech during a ceremony to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the country’s ruling party in Pyongyang Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020.   (KRT via AP)

Despite the fact that its own leader is known as a chain smoker, North Korea has banned smoking in some public places, the Guardian reports. Yonhap News reports the law was unanimously passed Wednesday at a "rare" meeting of the Supreme People's Assembly. Specifically, smoking will be prohibited in places like political and ideological education centers, theaters and cinemas, and facilities for medical and public health. Officials say the reason is to provide "hygienic living environments." As of 2013, the WHO reported 43.9% of the male population in the country smoked. (More North Korea stories.)

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