South Korea May Increase Cigarette Taxes and Tighten Health Warnings

South Korea is advancing a broader anti-smoking agenda that may include raising cigarette taxes and implementing stricter packaging regulations. Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong stated that the government needs to review tobacco pricing policies to address smoking issues and emerging nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, flavored tobacco, and synthetic nicotine products. Discussions about increasing cigarette prices have resurfaced after prices have remained at an average of 4,500 won (approximately $2.93) per pack since the last increase in 2015, despite a roughly 20% rise in consumer prices during the same period. The government has included the option to review the increase of health promotion taxes in the Sixth Comprehensive Plan for National Health Promotion for 2026-2030, aiming to bring cigarette prices closer to the OECD average (which exceeded 9,800 won, approximately $6.37 per pack in 2023). Although specific tax proposals have not yet been announced, some observers believe prices may eventually approach the 10,000 won (approximately $6.50) range. Additionally, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has finalized a new set of health warnings for cigarette packaging, which will officially take effect on December 23 after a six-month transition period. The revised warnings will add kidney cancer to the list of smoking-related diseases prominently displayed on packaging, update warning images for several health conditions, and replace existing information with more direct language, including changing "The road to lung cancer" to "The end of smoking is lung cancer." The ministry also stated that it will continue to assess other measures that comply with international tobacco control standards, including larger warning labels, broader product coverage, and potential plain packaging requirements.