South Korea adopts new health warnings including for new heated tobacco cigarettes
April 21, 2020
Par: communication@cnct.fr
Dernière mise à jour: April 21, 2020
Temps de lecture: 3 minutes
South Korea plans to change most of its graphic warnings used on cigarette packages to encourage smokers to quit[1]. The Ministry of Health said that 12 new graphic warnings will be placed on regular cigarette packs as well as on the packaging of Philip Morris heated tobacco cigarettes. Some countries have banned the sale of the new so-called heated tobacco cigarettes altogether, such as Australia, while others allow them but impose strict regulations on them. Currently, in the majority of countries where heated tobacco products are sold, they include simple, imprecise text warnings about the risks. But from December 23, 2020 in South Korea, they will be replaced by graphic warnings (organs affected by cancer, for example) on the product box. South Korea will therefore be among the first countries, along with Israel[2] where products have been placed on the market to impose graphic warnings.
Of the 12 images currently used on traditional cigarette packs, nine will be replaced by new images from the end of the year. The changes will come into effect on 23 December 2020 for a period of two years. The visuals of the warnings presenting an increased risk of laryngeal cancer, sexual dysfunction and risks will be retained. The images showing a greater likelihood of smokers suffering premature death, heart disease or stroke, or contracting lung and mouth cancer are expected to be changed, as well as the images relating to the dangers of passive smoking and smoking during pregnancy. Under the new regulations, 75% (compared to 50% previously) of the surface area of a cigarette pack must be covered by the combined warnings (images and text). The visuals are to be renewed every 24 months. The new regulations - which require 55% of the area dedicated to warning pictures and 20% to the warning text - are in response to the need to send a strong signal to reduce smoking in all its forms. The text used to discourage smoking will also be changed to be more easily readable and send a clearer message about the health risks.
Currently, more than 100 countries have adopted such health warnings on cigarette packages, 43 of which provide for more than 65% of the surface area to be dedicated to graphic warnings about the consequences of smoking.[3]. This provision of health warnings is particularly cost-effective and is one of the best practices to implement. It not only informs consumers but also alerts those around them, particularly young people, with a view to dissuading them from starting to smoke.
©Generation Without Tobacco
[1] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/12/119_260817.html [2] https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/global/pdfs/en/standardized_packaging_developments_en.pdf [3] https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/global/pdfs/en/WL_status_report_en.pdf ©National Committee Against Smoking |
Of the 12 images currently used on traditional cigarette packs, nine will be replaced by new images from the end of the year. The changes will come into effect on 23 December 2020 for a period of two years. The visuals of the warnings presenting an increased risk of laryngeal cancer, sexual dysfunction and risks will be retained. The images showing a greater likelihood of smokers suffering premature death, heart disease or stroke, or contracting lung and mouth cancer are expected to be changed, as well as the images relating to the dangers of passive smoking and smoking during pregnancy. Under the new regulations, 75% (compared to 50% previously) of the surface area of a cigarette pack must be covered by the combined warnings (images and text). The visuals are to be renewed every 24 months. The new regulations - which require 55% of the area dedicated to warning pictures and 20% to the warning text - are in response to the need to send a strong signal to reduce smoking in all its forms. The text used to discourage smoking will also be changed to be more easily readable and send a clearer message about the health risks.
Currently, more than 100 countries have adopted such health warnings on cigarette packages, 43 of which provide for more than 65% of the surface area to be dedicated to graphic warnings about the consequences of smoking.[3]. This provision of health warnings is particularly cost-effective and is one of the best practices to implement. It not only informs consumers but also alerts those around them, particularly young people, with a view to dissuading them from starting to smoke.
©Generation Without Tobacco
[1] https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/12/119_260817.html [2] https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/global/pdfs/en/standardized_packaging_developments_en.pdf [3] https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/global/pdfs/en/WL_status_report_en.pdf ©National Committee Against Smoking |
