Jump to full article: Korea Times (kr), 2009-05-17
Intro: South Koreans spent a record 8.16 trillion won ($6.46 billion) on cigarettes in 2008 despite efforts by the government and social groups to get people to cut down on smoking, a report by the central bank said Sunday.
The Bank of Korea said the figure represents a 3.9 percent gain from the 7.85 trillion won tallied the year before, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The total is equivalent to 25.2 percent of what the nation spends on medical and health care, 32.37 trillion won, and reflects a steady increase in cigarette purchasing.
Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease and other ailments.
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