2021-12-15-世界卫生组织-Tobacco_Korea_the_Republic_of_2021_country_profile_10页_336kb

Republic of Korea Tobacco Control Profile Summary

• WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: Signed in 2003 and ratified in 2005. High-income country with a national tobacco control program, 6 FTE staff, and expenditures of KRW 259,400,000,000 in 2020. Conducts periodic, nationally representative surveys for adolescents and adults reporting tobacco use.

• Monitoring: Data collected on tobacco use prevalence through KNHANES (adults) and KYRBWS (adolescents) for 2018-2020. Smoking rates decreased marginally; male adult smoking prevalence fell from 37.1% to 32.3%, and both sexes saw declines, though not all data points are fully available.

• Smoke-Free Environments: Compliance score of 10 indicates complete absence of smoking allowed in public places with no exemptions, based on national laws; no subnational bans reported.

• Cessation Programs: Moderate compliance; a toll-free quit line available, partial coverage of cessation services and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT); some professional support accessible.

• Health Warnings: High compliance (>50% of principal display area covered); warnings include photographs, specific message; no level 1,2 categories, with 10 specific warnings approved.

• Mass Media Campaigns: National campaigns conducted between 2018-2020, aired on TV/radio; evaluation and public involvement included; part of a comprehensive program.

• Advertising Bans: Full compliance for direct bans on TV, radio, billboards, internet; some restrictions implied for cross-border advertising; moderate compliance for promotion/sponsorship bans.

• Taxation: High tax burden: total taxes 73.86% of retail price for cigarettes in 2020 (price KRW 4285.71-6000.00). Cigarettes became less affordable between 2010-2020, with taxes including specific excise and VAT. Heated tobacco products taxed similarly.

• Earmarked Taxes: Used specifically for health promotion, including tobacco control, with KRW 841 per 20-cig pack allocated to the National Health Promotion Fund. High tax revenues collected in 2018 (KRW 10.2 trillion for excise and KRW 1.4 trillion for VAT).