Starting at the end of this year, cigarette packs sold in South Korea will feature new warning images and messages that more clearly and strongly convey the dangers of smoking.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on June 22 that it has revised the "Cigarette Pack Warning Labeling Guidelines" to include new warning images and messages. After a six-month grace period, the new regulations will take effect nationwide on December 23. This grace period is intended to prevent confusion in the market as the current fifth phase of warning regulations will end on December 22.
The cigarette health warning system aims to visually communicate the severe health risks associated with tobacco use, encouraging smokers to quit and deterring non-smokers from starting. Since its initial implementation in December 2016, the warning messages have been regularly revised every two years to prevent smokers from becoming too accustomed to them. The latest changes are a proactive measure to introduce the next set of regulations.
The most significant feature of the new sixth phase of health warnings is the enhancement of visual impact and message clarity. The previous warning about "erectile dysfunction" has been removed, and "kidney cancer" has been introduced as a new warning topic. Additionally, five existing warning images related to oral cancer, heart disease, eye disease, peripheral vascular disease, and secondhand smoke will be replaced with new images that more starkly illustrate the deadly consequences of smoking.
The tone of the warning messages has also shifted from a more indirect "implied result" to a direct "result-focused" approach, raising awareness. For example, the previous fifth phase message, which suggested a risk of disease with phrases like "The path to lung cancer," has been changed to direct statements such as "The end of smoking is lung cancer" and "The end of smoking is kidney cancer." This aims to clearly highlight the fatal outcomes of tobacco use, enhancing the warning's effectiveness for smokers.
Warnings for e-cigarettes have also been refined. Previously combined into a single statement, the warnings for liquid and traditional e-cigarettes will now be separated into "Nicotine addiction!" and "Cancer risk!" to improve visual clarity.
The sixth phase proposal was developed based on comprehensive feedback from a sample survey of about 2,100 adults and teenagers, as well as domestic and international research findings, to prevent familiarity from repeated exposure. It was finalized after consultations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding technical barriers to trade (TBT), the Smoking Cessation Policy Advisory Committee, and the National Health Promotion Policy Review Committee.
Kim Han-sook, Director of the Health Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "To maximize the effectiveness of cigarette pack health warnings, we will pursue measures to expand the area of warning images and broaden the scope of health warnings to include tobacco devices. Furthermore, we will continuously review and implement strong tobacco regulation policies that align with international standards, such as the introduction of plain packaging without advertising."
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on June 22 that it has revised the "Cigarette Pack Warning Labeling Guidelines" to include new warning images and messages. After a six-month grace period, the new regulations will take effect nationwide on December 23. This grace period is intended to prevent confusion in the market as the current fifth phase of warning regulations will end on December 22.
The cigarette health warning system aims to visually communicate the severe health risks associated with tobacco use, encouraging smokers to quit and deterring non-smokers from starting. Since its initial implementation in December 2016, the warning messages have been regularly revised every two years to prevent smokers from becoming too accustomed to them. The latest changes are a proactive measure to introduce the next set of regulations.
The most significant feature of the new sixth phase of health warnings is the enhancement of visual impact and message clarity. The previous warning about "erectile dysfunction" has been removed, and "kidney cancer" has been introduced as a new warning topic. Additionally, five existing warning images related to oral cancer, heart disease, eye disease, peripheral vascular disease, and secondhand smoke will be replaced with new images that more starkly illustrate the deadly consequences of smoking.
The tone of the warning messages has also shifted from a more indirect "implied result" to a direct "result-focused" approach, raising awareness. For example, the previous fifth phase message, which suggested a risk of disease with phrases like "The path to lung cancer," has been changed to direct statements such as "The end of smoking is lung cancer" and "The end of smoking is kidney cancer." This aims to clearly highlight the fatal outcomes of tobacco use, enhancing the warning's effectiveness for smokers.
Warnings for e-cigarettes have also been refined. Previously combined into a single statement, the warnings for liquid and traditional e-cigarettes will now be separated into "Nicotine addiction!" and "Cancer risk!" to improve visual clarity.
The sixth phase proposal was developed based on comprehensive feedback from a sample survey of about 2,100 adults and teenagers, as well as domestic and international research findings, to prevent familiarity from repeated exposure. It was finalized after consultations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding technical barriers to trade (TBT), the Smoking Cessation Policy Advisory Committee, and the National Health Promotion Policy Review Committee.
Kim Han-sook, Director of the Health Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "To maximize the effectiveness of cigarette pack health warnings, we will pursue measures to expand the area of warning images and broaden the scope of health warnings to include tobacco devices. Furthermore, we will continuously review and implement strong tobacco regulation policies that align with international standards, such as the introduction of plain packaging without advertising."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.