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Lee Beom-soo Steps Behind Camera to Crusade Against Smoking

Actor Lee Beom-soo has made his directorial debut with a short film urging people not to smoke.

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Lee, who is a promotional ambassador for the Ministry of Health and Welfare, unveiled "Puppet" at the Sponge House Theater in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on Tuesday. It was made as part of an anti-smoking campaign funded and organized by the ministry.

Lee, who quit smoking in 2002, said the filming schedule was taxing due to the tight time constraints. "It was very tiring because I had to wrap the whole thing up in two days, but I didn't want to cut corners or be sloppy", he said.

The short can be viewed on YouTube and the website www.nosmoking-socialmovie.co.kr

The ministry is producing a three-part omnibus and plans to release Trap, directed by Lee Ji-seung, on Sept. 16, and Kim Kyung-hyung's "Smoke" on Oct. 15.

With smoking-related forms of cancer now ranking as one of the major causes of death in the country, the government has been increasing its efforts to discourage the public from smoking. Late last year, it banned smoking in bars, restaurants and coffee shops of 150 sq.m or larger.

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