Tobacco.org

Plan aims to cut smoking rate 10% 

As part of a tobacco free initiative agreed last week by countries in the Western Pacific region, the Korean government has set a target of reducing the nation's smoking rate by 10 percent over the coming five years, health officials said yesterday. The World Health Organization has helped its member states fighting against the smoking issue by offering five-year plans since 1990. The pact signed last Wednesday is the latest, updated version of a package of six policies to reduce the demand for and consumption of tobacco products.

The package includes: monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; protect people from tobacco smoke; offer help to quit tobacco use; warn about the dangers of tobacco; enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and raise taxes on tobacco.

Under the Regional Action Plan enforced from next year through 2014, the nation's current tobacco use among adults and youths is expected to be reduced by 10 percent from the most recent baseline. More than 60 percent of taxes will be imposed on tobacco, as well.

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