South Korean Health Ministry Aims To Effectively Curb Smoking Through More ‘Explicit’ TV Commercial
Beginning next week, the South Korean Health Ministry will be airing a more "explicit" anti-smoking TV commercial in an effort to curb the habit that causes various health problems.
According to Business Standard on Tuesday, the current commercial being broadcasted shows ballet dancers who manifest the side effects of smoking through their dance movements.
Ministry official Choi Shin Gwang has noted that the new commercial is currently in production and may be "painful" to watch as it will be displaying disturbing images and messages that aim to discourage smokers in South Korea from continuing the vice.
"We've been told that the current commercial with the ballet dancer is not strong enough," said Choi. "We are trying to come up with a new commercial that is more powerful."
The South Korean government is continuously boosting efforts in curbing smoking in the country.
Effective at the start of this year, smoking has been banned in all cafes, restaurants and bars in the country, including in smoking rooms, noted Korean blog The Marmot's Hole on Mar. 31.
A three-month grace period on the enforcement of the new anti-smoking law has ended and anyone caught violating this after April 1 will be subjected to a 100,000 won fine and up to five million won for shop owners.
The Tobacco Reporter also noted on Sept. 22 that the South Korean government is establishing an anti-smoking research institute set to open in October, where tobacco ingredients will be studied, as well as the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand exposure.
"Such studies have so far been conducted by private institute or the tobacco makers, often facing criticism for lacking credibility," said a Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) official. "Government-level studies so far have focused on epidemiological research, but the new institute will concentrate on discovering any direct correlation between smoking and health hazards. Study results will be used for setting up anti-smoking policies and as evidence for the ongoing suit."
Ten million South Koreans are reported to be smokers, with approximately 57,000 dying every year from smoking-related diseases, including lung cancer.
In 2014, South Korea was among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations with the highest smoking rates for male adults at 43.7 percent, higher than OECD's average of 26 percent.
