South Korea is implementing new graphic health warnings and text messages on cigarette packages starting December 23. (Image courtesy of Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea is implementing new graphic health warnings and text messages on cigarette packages starting December 23, marking the fifth iteration of the country’s tobacco warning system, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on December 22.
The revised warnings feature more direct messaging, replacing single-word cautions with complete sentences to emphasize health risks. For instance, the word “lung cancer” has been changed to “This is the path to lung cancer.” Another new warning reads “This is how you make others sick,” highlighting the dangers of secondhand smoke.
This tobacco control policy, which requires manufacturers to display health hazard warnings through both images and text on packaging, aims to encourage smokers to quit and prevent non-smokers from starting. The initiative was introduced in December 2016, with the Ministry of Health and Welfare updating the warnings every two years.
Two new graphics depicting eye diseases and peripheral vascular disease have been added.
(Image courtesy of the Ministry of Health and Welfare)
The number of disease-related warning images on traditional cigarette packages has increased from five to seven out of the total 10 required images. Two new graphics depicting eye diseases and peripheral vascular disease have been added, replacing previous images related to pregnancy smoking and premature death that weren’t linked to specific illnesses.
For electronic cigarettes, both heated tobacco products and liquid types, the number of warning themes has doubled from one to two. The current text warnings about nicotine addiction and carcinogen exposure will remain unchanged.
These new warnings will remain in effect for the next two years.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
