South Korea is advancing a broader tobacco-control agenda that could include future cigarette tax increases alongside stricter packaging regulations. Discussion of raising cigarette prices has resurfaced after Health and Welfare Minister Jung Eun-kyeong said the government needs to review tobacco pricing policy as part of efforts to address smoking and emerging nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, flavored cigarettes, and synthetic nicotine products.
Cigarette prices have remained unchanged at an average of 4,500 won ($2.93) per pack since a 2015 increase, despite consumer prices rising about 20% over the same period. The government’s Sixth National Health Promotion Comprehensive Plan for 2026-2030 includes a review of increasing the health promotion levy to bring cigarette prices closer to OECD averages, which exceeded 9,800 won ($6.37) per pack in 2023. While no specific tax proposal has been announced, some observers believe prices could eventually move toward the 10,000-won ($6.50) range. Separately, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has finalized a new set of cigarette pack health warnings that will take effect on Dec. 23, following a six-month transition period. The revised warnings will add kidney cancer to the list of smoking-related diseases highlighted on packs, update warning images for several health conditions, and replace existing messages with more direct language, including changing “road to lung cancer” to “the end of smoking is lung cancer.” The ministry also said it will continue evaluating additional measures aligned with international tobacco-control standards, including larger warning labels, broader product coverage and potential plain-packaging requirements.
