By Bae Keun-min
Staff Reporter

All promotional activities for tobacco products will face stricter controls as the international anti-tobacco pact is expected to take effect in August in South Korea.

During a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan Tuesday, the government agreed to adopt the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FTCT) initiated by the World Health Organization.

President Roh Moo-hyun is expected to sign the pact early May. And the ratification instrument will immediately be sent to the United Nations.

The FTCT will officially take effect in South Korea 90 days after the submission to the U.N. The pact took global effect from February 27.

As early as August, cigarettes and their packaging cannot be labeled ``light,’’ ``ultra light’’ or ``mild’’ as they may mislead consumers about the harmful effects of smoking. Misleading labeling will be prohibited three years after the pact takes effect.

Korea must either ban or restrict any promotional activities for the sale of tobacco within five years.

Policy measures to reduce cigarette sales, including price hikes and tax increases, will be enforced. The government has raised cigarette prices by 500 won per pack last December and plans an additional increase of 500 won this year.

The government also plans to double cigarette prices over the next eight years.

The authorities will start mapping out detailed enforcement regulations, said Lee Jong-koo, chief of the health promotion bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

``We haven’t decided whether we will issue a total ban of smoking in public places, including bars, restaurants and cafes,’’ Lee said.

``A total ban on smoking at such places seems difficult in reality.’’

The government will expand the size of warning signs on tobacco packets from the current 20 percent of the surface to at least 30 percent, in accordance with the FCTC standards.

Bhutan, in 2003, became the first country to ban the sale of cigarettes. Ireland has started a total ban on smoking at bars and all public places, while the state of New York in the United States has declared all bars, restaurants and public venues as smoke-free zones.

Korea vowed to join the anti-smoking pact in July 2003. Its male smokers ratio is estimated at 61.8 percent in 2001, the highest among the member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

kenbae@koreatimes.co.kr