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Packaging and labelling

Warn about the dangers of tobacco – Tobacco Packaging

Tobacco companies use packaging and other advertising techniques to make tobacco seem appealing, while distracting consumers from the harsh reality of how tobacco destroys health. Health warnings on tobacco packaging reach all smokers and cost governments nothing. As laid out in guidelines to Article 11 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, warnings should appear on both the front and back of the packaging and be large and clear and describe specific illnesses caused by tobacco. Use of graphic images demonstrating the harm of tobacco use can be especially effective in convincing users to quit.

Creating completely smoke-free indoor public places through smoke-free legislation is popular wherever it is enacted, and these laws do not harm business. Any country, regardless of income-level, can implement effective smoke-free legislation. Only a total ban on smoking in indoor public places, including all indoor workplaces, bars, restaurants and public transport, protects people from the harms of second-hand smoke, helps smokers quit and reduces youth smoking.

Source : https://www.who.int/activities/warning-about-the-dangers-of-tobacco

Tobacco Packaging in Korea

Legal Basis

Article 9-2 & 9-4 of the National Health Promotion Act

  • (Marking Warning Phrases, etc. on Tobacco) The following information must be labeled on the front and rear sides of cigarette packages: pictures and phrases that warn of the harmful effects of smoking; carcinogens contained in tobacco; and telephone numbers for counseling service to quit smoking.
  • (Restriction on Indication of Flavoring Contained) The use of word, picture, and photograph indicating tobacco flavoring is prohibited on tobacco packaging.

Article 25-2 & 25-5 of the Tobacco Business Act

  • (Marking Warning Phrases, etc. on Tobacco) The following information must be labeled on the front and rear sides of cigarette packages: pictures and phrases that warn of the harmful effects of smoking; carcinogens contained in tobacco; and telephone numbers for counseling service to quit smoking.
  • (Restriction on Indication of Flavoring Contained) The use of word, picture, and photograph indicating tobacco flavoring is prohibited on tobacco packaging.

Article 25 of the Enforcement Decree of the Youth Protection Act

  • (Indication of Harmfulness to Youth on Drugs, etc. Harmful to Youth) A label indicating the prohibition of sales to minors under the age of 19 shall be placed on the back of tobacco packaging.

Tobacco Packaging Regulations in Korea

Introduced cigarette package graphic health warning labels (Effective date: December 23, 2016). Size must be 50% of the front and back of the cigarette pack display area

Cigarette

Cigarette

Electronic Nicotine Delivery System(ENDS)

Electronic Nicotine Delivery System(ENDS)

Heated Tobacco Product(HTP)

Heated Tobacco Product(HTP)

Changes to graphic health warning on tobacco packaging

No more than ten warning pictures shall be displayed and rotated regularly every 24 months.

Changes to graphic health warning on tobacco packaging
  • See TOBACCO CONTROL FACT SHEET No. 12 ‘The Graphic Health Warning Labels on Tobacco Products and Plain Packaging’ & TOBACCO ISSUE AND FORUM No. 78 ‘Achievements and the Road Ahead for the Graphic Health Warning labels on Tobacco Products in South Korea’