Graphic warnings – 12th time unlucky for smokers?

South Korea’s lawmakers are due to start debating tomorrow whether to compel cigarette manufacturers to include graphic health warnings on cigarette packs, which currently carry printed warnings only, according to a story in The Korea Times.

The National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee is scheduled to review the government’s proposal and some observers believe there is a good chance that it will become law.

This is despite the fact that the government has made 11 unsuccessful attempts since 2002 to have graphic warnings included on cigarette packs.

One member of the committee and of the main opposition party, New Politics Alliance for Democracy was quoted as saying that many committee members agreed that it was time for mandatory graphic warnings, but they had to figure out the how and when.

But opposition from smokers is expected to be strong as they argue that smoking is a basic right granted by the Constitution.

And possible lobbying from tobacco companies will create an obstacle.