Issues South Korea

Tobacco harms the health, the treasury, and the spirit of South Korea. Every year, more than 46700 of its people are killed bytobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 59000 children (10-14 years old) and 9081000 adults (15+ years old) continue to usetobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in South Korea and ensuresthat tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities and resourcesto strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Male

33.5%More men smoke in South Korea than onaverage in very high-HDI countries.

Female

8.8%Even though fewer women smoke inSouth Korea than on average in veryhigh-HDI countries, there are still morethan 1927100 women who smokecigarettes each day, making it an ongoingand dire public health threat.

Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.)

% using tobacco daily: 2015

Boys

3.07%More boys smoke in South Korea than onaverage in very high-HDI countries.

Girls

1.67%Even though fewer girls smoke in SouthKorea than on average in very high-HDIcountries, there are still more than 19900girls who smoke cigarettes each day, makingit sign of an ongoing and dire public healththreat.

Deaths% caused by tobacco: 2016

Male

19.26%Even though fewer men die from tobaccoin South Korea than on average in veryhigh-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 677men every week, necessitating action frompolicymakers.

Female

7.31%Even though fewer women die fromtobacco in South Korea than on average invery high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills220 women every week, necessitatingaction from policymakers.

Societal Harms

The economic cost of smoking in South Korea amounts to14697237 million won. This includes direct costs related tohealthcare expenditures and indirect costs related to lostproductivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Smokeless Tobacco% using tobacco daily: 2013

n/a n/a

Industry

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobaccocompanies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, which isequal to 24% of the Gross National Income of South Korea.The industry is a powerful force that does not fear the actionsof smaller nation-states because of their extensive resourcesand global market power. Larger economies and nations havethe opportunity to help the smaller allies face down thisthreat.

Growing

There were 29320 metrictons of tobacco produced inSouth Korea in 2014, with0.68% of agricultural landdevoted to tobaccocultivation.

Production

There were 143.56billion cigarettesproduced in SouthKorea in 2016.

ta6.org/country/south-korea

Solutions South Korea

Current Policy in SouthKoreaProtect from Smoke

All public places completely smoke-free isthe best practice

Smokefree

HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities

Universities Government Facilities

Indoor Offices Restaurants

Pubs and Bars Public Transport

All Other Indoor PublicPlaces

Funds for SmokefreeEnforcement

Raise Taxes

WHO BenchmarkMinimum

70%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

South Korea

64.76%of Retail Priceis Excise Tax

Offer HelpNational quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the bestpractice

Quitting Resources National quit line, and both NRT and some cessation services cost-covered

National Quitline Yes

Warn About the Dangers to Tobacco Users on Product PackagingA plain, standardized pack with a large health warning is the best practice

Type of Warning Label Graphic

Percent of Pack Covered 50%

Plain Packaging Yes

Warn About the Dangers to the Whole Population in a Media Campaign

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes

Appropriate Characteristics

Part Of A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program Yes

Pre-Tested With The Target Audience No

Target Audience Research Was Conducted Yes

Aired On Television And/Or Radio Yes

Utilized Media Planning Yes

Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote The Campaign Yes

Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation Yes

Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness Yes

Enforce Bans on AdvertisingBan on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of DirectAd Bans

4/7possible bans

Number ofIndirect Ad Bans

1/10possible bans

Ad Ban Compliance Percent

Moderate

Direct bans

• National TV and radio• International TV and radio• Billboard and outdooradvertising• Advertising on internet

Indirect bans

• Promotional discounts

ta6.org/country/south-korea