Govt. to retain budget for anti-smoking programs after heavy criticism

Parliament is to reinstate the reduced budget for anti-smoking programs, sources said Tuesday, following public criticism that the country is neglecting its responsibility despite a rise in revenue brought on by higher cigarette prices.

The assembly's budgeting subcommittee on Monday set next year's anti-smoking assistance budget at 146.7 billion won ($131 million), up 13.5 billion won from the prior proposal so as to meet this year's level. The budget needs to pass the health and welfare committee and the plenary session to become final.

Seoul raised the price for a pack of cigarette by 2,000 won starting in January 2015, saying the higher price will encourage smokers to quit their habit. A recent survey showed that the smoking rate among adult men did go down to 39.4 percent in 2015, the first time it fell below 40 percent mark since record keeping began in 1998. But it rose back up to 40.7 percent last year, suggesting that the price hike was not producing the intended effect.