Korea to ban product discriptors

Cigarette makers in South Korea will be banned from using such words as light, low tar and pure on cigarette packaging from next year, reports The Korea Times.

The Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced revised decrees on Sunday to forbid tobacco makers from using such misleading words on packages or in advertisements.

The rules will go into effect on Jan. 22. Violators will face up to a year in jail or a fine of up to WON10 million.

The rules also call for cigarette manufacturers to make low-ignition propensity cigarettes beginning July 22, 2015.

Manufacturers who fail to produce fire-safe cigarettes after that date could have their licenses revoked.