Minister pushes for tobacco hazard photo

Activists wearing cigarette costumes launch an anti-smoking campaign on the plaza in front of Cheonggye Stream in central Seoul to mark the World No Tobacco Day, Friday. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Health and Welfare Minister Chin Young Friday pledged to convince lawmakers to pass a bill that would enforce the printing of warning photographs on cigarette packets.

Speaking at an event to mark World No-Tobacco Day in Seoul, the minister stressed the role of the government in promoting positive health choices. “We must join hands in order to obligate tobacco companies to include photos showing health hazards on cigarette packets,” he said.

His remarks were an effort to break a stalemate over the issue.

Government agencies are divided over the use of such health warnings. Last year, the health ministry proposed a revised bill that would require tobacco companies to have photos on packets with a warning also stated in a large font.

However, progress of the bill stalled, forcing the Prime Minister’s Office, which coordinates the passage of government bills, to recommend that relevant ministries reach a consensus on the issue.

The Ministry of Strategy and Finance questioned the effectiveness of such a campaign.

“Our position is that we need to watch the global trend on the matter closely and all stakeholders need to sit down to exchange their views and then make a decision based on a consensus,” a finance ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

The finance ministry fears that tax income from tobacco consumption will be negatively affected if the measure is introduced.

The government earns approximately 7 trillion won from tobacco-related taxes.

KT&G, the largest manufacturer and distributor of tobacco, said it has no opinion regarding the use of warning photos on packaging.

A spokesman said that KT&G would take necessary measures if the government makes a decision.

A smokers’ advocacy group said the health minister is adopting a populist approach because his previous push for a price hike on tobacco products failed.

“The use of warning photos has been discussed for many years but with no clear decision made. Our opinion is that the health minister’s remarks undermine people’s right to pursue happiness,” said Cho Bee-o, a director of the planning division of Korea Smokers’ Association based in Seoul.

Since 2007, several revision bills calling for the use of warning photos have been submitted to the National Assembly.