More than 1.5 million Koreans sign nationwide petition supporting lawsuit against tobacco companies

South Korea's National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) has filed a petition signed by more than 1.5 million people with the appeals court in its lawsuit against three tobacco companies, KT&G, Philip Morris Korea, and BAT Korea. This class action has far exceeded the initial goal of one million signatures, initially collected between March 24 and May 31, 2025, and extended to June 30 due to overwhelming public participation. The lawsuit, filed in April 2014, seeks 53.3 billion won (€33 million) in medical expenses that the health insurance company claims to have covered for smoking-related illnesses.[1].

Public health and moral responsibility arguments

The NHIS claims this move reflects a strong demand for accountability from tobacco companies. In addition to the already exceeded target of one million signatures, testimonials were submitted, highlighting in particular the companies' lack of recognition of the impact of tobacco on lung cancer.

In a written statement attached to the petition, NHIS Chairman Jung Ki-suck, a pulmonologist and former director of the Korean Disease Control Agency, emphasizes the highly addictive nature of tobacco and its recognized link to several types of cancer. He disputes manufacturers' claims that tobacco is an individual choice, less addictive than narcotics, or that quitting smoking is easy.

The petition also refers to official statements from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), both of which have formally expressed support for the public health significance and validity of the Korean lawsuit. In May 2025, the WHO and the FCTC Secretariat issued scientific and policy statements supporting the NHIS case.[2].

Case against tobacco manufacturers strengthens with strong medical data

According to the NHIS, the Korean Classification of Diseases lists 17 diseases directly related to smoking, and at least 45 diseases that have been statistically correlated with smoking.

Dr. Jung states that tobacco is one of the most harmful substances to human health, with an estimated annual cost of 3.8 trillion won (€2.35 billion) to the national health insurance system. He also cites research indicating that 98.2% of small cell lung cancer patients had no identifiable factor other than smoking.

The NHIS filed a lawsuit seeking damages against KT&G, Philip Morris Korea, and BAT Korea in April 2014 before the Seoul Central District Court. The 53.3 billion won amount corresponds to insurance compensation paid for medical expenses for 3,465 patients diagnosed with lung or laryngeal cancer after smoking a pack a day for 20 years or more.

At first instance, in 2020, the courts rejected the NHIS's request, considering that additional elements were necessary to rule out other possible causes of cancer (lifestyle, family history, etc.).

The appeal decision is still pending. For the NHIS president, this trial represents a major societal issue, and the popular support demonstrates a strong consensus in favor of recognizing manufacturers' responsibility.

A decision which may also raise questions about how to hold these manufacturers accountable outside of borders since, in April 2025, South Korean group KT&G has made a name for itself by opening a cigarette production plant in Almaty, Kazakhstan., marking a new stage in its international expansion strategy. Estimated to cost nearly €116 million, this industrial site plans to produce 4.5 billion cigarettes per year, intended not only for the local market, but also for export to Eastern Europe, the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and other Eurasian markets.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]Hye-seon Chae, NHIS hands in petition to court signed by 1.5 million people in tobacco lawsuit, Korea JoongAng Daily, published July 28, 2025, accessed July 28, 2025

[2]Jisun Kim, Over 1.5 Million People Sign Nationwide Petition Backing National Health Insurance Service's Landmark Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies, alphabiz, published July 28, 2025, accessed July 28, 2025

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