Kim Sook-hee, Bupyeong District Councillor: "Senior Smoking Prevention, Adjustment of Activities Needed During Peak Smoking Times at Lunchtime"

Kim Sook-hee, a councillor from Incheon Bupyeong District Council (People Power Party·Galsan 1·2-dong, Samsan 1-dong), urged for adjustments to the activity hours of the new health project 'Senior Smoking Environment Keeper' set for 2026 to enhance its effectiveness, while sharply pointing out issues related to unmanned stores and pest control that closely affect residents' lives.

During the report of the Urban Environment Committee at the 274th Incheon Bupyeong District Council temporary meeting held on January 29, Councillor Kim raised concerns about the operational method of the 'Senior Smoking Environment Keeper' project.

Councillor Kim mentioned that the activity hours for the project are planned from 9 AM to 12 PM, stating, "The peak time for smoking is after lunch, yet activities are not conducted during this peak time." She further urged, "We should not just fit into the framework of senior job projects but consider flexible operations that align with the times when complaints about smoking surge."

In response, a representative from the district health centre stated, "We initiated this project for awareness improvement, but we fully empathise with the time-related difficulties pointed out by the councillor and will review efficient operational plans."

During the hygiene report, the issue of poor management of unmanned food sales businesses was brought to light. Councillor Kim noted, "The number of unmanned stores has increased by 20 compared to last year, reaching 171, but there are no specific management guidelines when visiting the sites," and emphasized, "As the types of stores vary from snack shops used by children to cake specialty shops, we need to create standardized safety guidelines in consultation with the city or central government."

Regarding pest control issues, she expressed concerns about the side effects of sticky traps installed to combat the large outbreak of insects like 'Lovebugs'. Councillor Kim warned, "If traps are installed near the butterfly park located in Cheongcheon-dong, there is a high risk of capturing beneficial insects like butterflies," and called for ecological care in site selection.

The issue of equity in health projects was also raised. Councillor Kim criticized, "Support for shingles vaccinations is delayed due to budget shortages compared to other local governments," and stated, "To avoid feeling inequality as an Incheon citizen, we need proactive solutions through discussions with the city rather than just responses of 'there is no budget.'"

She also added that for the flu vaccinations expanded to middle school students and the HPV (cervical cancer) vaccinations now available to male students, "We need to strengthen publicity and increase vaccination rates in close cooperation with the education office and schools."