Gov't Denies Intend to Hike Cigarette, Liquor Prices
30 January, 2021
The federal government on Thursday denied it ever had an idea to hike the cost of cigarettes and liquor, which have end up being the sole consolation of several Koreans in lockdown.
The Ministry of Health insurance and Welfare on Wednesday proposed raising the cigarette price from W4,500 a pack to the OECD average of about W8,100 per pack over the next 10 years to lessen smoking (US$1=W,119).
But in Thursday the ministry and any office of the Prime Minister found in separate statements denied that the federal government ever had such a plan at all.
"Tobacco and alcohol happen to be consumed by many persons, and raising their prices requires adequate research and study from various angles along with prudent community debate," the ministry's affirmation said.
They apparently got cold feet when they sensed a backlash brewing and realized that raising cigarette and liquor prices could prove unfavorable to the ruling Minjoo Party before mayoral by-elections in Seoul and Busan on April 7.
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