South Korea’s use of cigarette packs to promote public policy violates FCTC Article 5.3

South Korea (hereafter Korea), as a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control(FCTC), must protect public health policies from the tobacco industry’s interests under Article 5.3.1 However, collaborations between tobacco manufacturers and government agencies, often at the local level, persist through instances, such as setting up cigarette butt bins2 and smoking booths3 in public spaces.

A recent case that is inconsistent with WHO FCTC Article 5.3—Principle 3—particularly Recommendation 3.1 (partnerships with the tobacco industry), involved displaying public service messages on cigarette packaging. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) collaborated with Philip Morris Korea (PMK)4 5 and Korea Tomorrow and Global (KT&G)6 7 to print: ‘When in need, call 129 or visit your local government office or community centre’ (figures 1 and 2). The message promotes access to social welfare services,…

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