South Korea aims to nearly double cigarette prices to combat smoking

South Korea on Thursday proposed a steep 80 per cent hike in cigarette prices to cut consumption in a nation with one of the world’s highest male smoking rates. The decision requires parliamentary approval, but Health Minister Moon Hyung-Pyo said it was necessary to counter what has become the “biggest threat to national health”. Under the plan, the average price per pack would go up to $4.35 by the start of next year. It is currently $2.41.

We hope our comprehensive anti-smoking measures will lead to a considerable cut in smoking and social spending on health.

Health Minister Moon Hyung-Pyo

Moon said his ministry predicted the increase would help cut tobacco consumption by 34 per cent and raise annual tax revenue by $2.7 billion. Around 41 per cent of adult South Korean men are smokers. The government has taken a series of measures in recent years to bring down that rate, including a ban on smoking in public places. Anti-smoking groups had called for the major price increase, but parliamentary approval is not guaranteed.

This is a deceitful scheme to fill a shortfall in tax revenues by emptying the pockets of those in the low-income bracket.

New Politics Alliance for Democracy statement

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