[Graphic News] 1 in 5 Korean men to die of illnesses linked to smoking

One out of 5 Korean men is projected to die of an illness linked to smoking, according to research by the state-run Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

The institute unveiled the study Thursday as the Ministry of Health and Welfare pushes to raise prices of cigarettes to help smokers kick the habit.

The research claimed that 79,917, or 21.6 percent, of about 370,000 high school seniors in 2010 were likely to die of smoking-related illness by age 85.

It added that 26.9 percent of adults smoked in 2010, compared with 28.8 percent in 2005.

(From news reports)