Summary: | Introduction
This paper reviews the trial and error occurring before an increase in
cigarette prices and the subsequent effects of this in South Korea. In addition, we
introduce the social phenomena that occur as a result of an increase in tobacco
tax, and propose effective strategies and principles that need to be taken into
account before increasing cigarette prices.
Material and Methods
We compared changes to smoking rates before and after the increase in
cigarette prices. To investigate the changes that occurred before South Korea’s
increase in tobacco tax, we first analysed the state of cigarette consumption and then
the change in smoking rates.
Results
The increase in cigarette prices caused an immediate backlash from
smokers, particularly low-income groups and those claiming tax inequality. In
particular, the sales of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) increased
dramatically and the lower price marketing of tobacco companies led to short-term
market share increases. As expected, smoking rates in South Korea decreased.
However, because the price increase was not sufficient to encourage widespread
smoking cessation, the decrease in smoking rates was not significant.
Conclusions
Because the primary objective of the cigarette pricing policy was not
designed to promote public health, by reducing smoking rates, it received public
criticism. To avoid public criticism, the government must emphasize and convince
the public that the primary objective of increasing cigarette prices is to protect public
health through a decline in smoking rates. Ideally, health authorities should play a
leading role in formulating tobacco tax policy.
|