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 by tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 59000 children (10-14 years old) and 10030000 adults (15+ years old) continue to use tobacco each day. Complacency in the face of the tobacco epidemic insulates the tobacco industry in South Korea and ensures that tobacco's death toll will grow every year. Tobacco control advocates must reach out to other communities and resources to strengthen their efforts and create change.

Adult Smoking (15+ Y.O.) Children Smoking (10-14 Y.O.) Deaths % using tobacco daily: 2015 % using tobacco daily: 2015 % caused by tobacco: 2016

Male Boys 49.8% 3.07% More men smoke in South Korea than on More boys smoke in South Korea than on average in very high-HDI countries. average in very high-HDI countries.

Female Girls

4.2% 1.67% Male Even though fewer women smoke in Even though fewer girls smoke in South South Korea than on average in very Korea than on average in very high-HDI 19.26% high-HDI countries, there are still more countries, there are still more than 19900 Even though fewer men die from tobacco than 2062000 women who smoke girls who smoke cigarettes each day, making in South Korea than on average in very cigarettes each day, making it an ongoing it sign of an ongoing and dire public health high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 677 and dire public health threat. threat. men every week, necessitating action from policymakers.

Female 7.31% Even though fewer women die from tobacco in South Korea than on average in very high-HDI countries, tobacco still kills 220 women every week, necessitating action from policymakers.

Societal Harms Smokeless Tobacco % using tobacco daily: 2013 The economic cost of smoking in South Korea amounts to 14697237 million wons. This includes direct costs related to n/a healthcare expenditures and indirect costs related to lost n/a productivity due to early mortality and morbidity.

Industry Growing Production

The combined revenues of the world's 6 largest tobacco There were 29320 metric There were 143.56 companies in 2016 was more than USD 346 Billion, which is tons of tobacco produced in billion cigarettes equal to 24% of the Gross National Income of South Korea. South Korea in 2014, with produced in South The industry is a powerful force that does not fear the actions 0.68% of agricultural land Korea in 2016. of smaller nation-states because of their extensive resources devoted to tobacco and global market power. Larger economies and nations have cultivation. the opportunity to help the smaller allies face down this threat.

ta6.org/country/south-korea Solutions South Korea Current Policy in South Offer Help Korea National quit line and both NRT and cessation-services cost-covered is the best practice Protect from Smoke Quitting Resources National quit line, and both NRT and some cessation services cost-covered All public places completely smoke-free is National Quitline Yes the best practice

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

Type of Warning Label Graphic HealthCare Facilities Educational Facilities Percent of Pack Covered 50% Plain Packaging No

Universities Government Facilities

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

Ran a National Anti-Tobacco Campaign in 2014 or 2016 Yes Indoor Offices Restaurants 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 Pubs and Bars Public Transport 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 All Other Indoor Public Funds for Smokefree Places Enforcement Enforce Bans on Advertising Ban on all forms of direct and indirect advertising is the best practice

Number of Direct Number of Ad Ban Compliance Raise Taxes Ad Bans Indirect Ad Bans Percent WHO Benchmark 4/7 0/10 High Minimum possible bans possible bans 70% of Retail Price is Excise Tax Direct bans Indirect bans

South Korea • National TV and radio • International TV and radio • Billboard and outdoor 64.76% advertising of Retail Price • Advertising on internet is Excise Tax

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