Graphic warnings on cigarette packs to show more harmful effects

Nine out of 12 graphic warnings on cigarette packs will change from Wednesday, as part of efforts to more clearly show the harmful effects of smoking, health authorities said on Monday.

Products with new warnings will be sold in retail stores from the end of January next year.

The new graphic warnings include more alarming images of the harmful effects of smoking on lung cancer, oral cancer, heart disease and stroke.

The current images of laryngeal cancer and sexual dysfunction, as well as the image on heated tobacco products, will not be replaced, as they were considered highly effective, officials said.

The move strengthens the effectiveness of the warning against smoking and tobacco use by replacing existing warning images that have been in use for too long, according to the Department of Health and Welfare.

Under the National Health Promotion Law Enforcement Decree, images and warning messages on cigarette packs must change every two years. The current images had been displayed on tobacco packs since December 23, 2018.

In addition to regularly changing warning images, the ministry plans to introduce standard packaging regulations that restrict the color and design of cigarette packages to limit their advertising effects.

Tobacco sales and smoking rates among adult men have steadily declined since the installation of warning pictures and phrases on cigarette packs in 2016.

By Kan Hyeong-woo ([email protected])