South Korea Pushes for Tougher Tobacco Rules on Digital Platforms at WHO Summit

South Korea plans to propose stricter guidelines on the portrayal of tobacco and smoking scenes in online video services such as YouTube and Netflix at the upcoming World Health Organization (WHO) conference.

South Korea plans to propose stricter guidelines on the portrayal of tobacco and smoking scenes in online video services such as YouTube and Netflix at the upcoming World Health Organization (WHO) conference. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced its participation in the 10th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), taking place in Panama from February 5 to 11.

During the conference, the South Korean delegation intends to urge the FCTC Secretariat and member states to pay attention to and reduce the depiction of tobacco and smoking scenes in content shown on video streaming platforms. The delegation will also emphasize the need for a joint response to the challenges surrounding tobacco control, such as the increase in tobacco advertising and marketing through multinational media platforms and the introduction of new tobacco products.

The FCTC is the first international health treaty aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and smoking rates worldwide. It came into effect in 2005, with South Korea ratifying it the same year. Currently, 183 countries are parties to the treaty. The Conference of Parties to the FCTC is a biennial international meeting, and this year’s conference will focus on the theme of “Building back better: tobacco control as a key component of the global recovery from COVID-19”.

South Korea has implemented various measures to curb tobacco use and exposure, and aims to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the country

South Korea has implemented various measures to curb tobacco use and exposure, and aims to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the country. The country has adopted a comprehensive tobacco control policy, which includes raising the tobacco tax, banning smoking in public places, requiring graphic health warnings on cigarette packs, restricting tobacco advertising and sponsorship, and providing smoking cessation services.

The country has also taken steps to regulate the portrayal of tobacco and smoking scenes in the media, especially in movies and dramas. The country has issued guidelines for the rating and classification of movies and dramas that contain tobacco and smoking scenes, and has required the display of anti-smoking messages before and after the content. The country has also encouraged the producers and directors to voluntarily reduce or eliminate the depiction of tobacco and smoking scenes in their works.

The country’s efforts have resulted in a significant decline in the smoking prevalence and the exposure to secondhand smoke among the population. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the smoking rate among adults aged 19 and above dropped from 23.9 percent in 2015 to 19.1 percent in 2020. The exposure rate to secondhand smoke at home, workplaces, and public places also decreased from 6.3 percent, 15.1 percent, and 26.7 percent in 2015 to 3.9 percent, 9.8 percent, and 15.1 percent in 2020, respectively.

South Korea faces some challenges and uncertainties in the tobacco control field, and seeks to overcome them with innovation and collaboration

South Korea faces some challenges and uncertainties in the tobacco control field, and seeks to overcome them with innovation and collaboration. The country has to cope with the changing trends and patterns of tobacco use and exposure, especially among the young and vulnerable groups. The country has to deal with the emergence and proliferation of new tobacco products, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which pose potential health risks and regulatory issues.

The country also has to comply with the state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines, which are still evolving and vary across different jurisdictions. The country also has to coordinate and cooperate with the international community and the neighboring countries, as the tobacco control is a global and regional issue that requires collective action and solidarity.

The country is confident that it can overcome these challenges and uncertainties with its innovation and collaboration. The country is constantly improving and enhancing its tobacco control policy, using the latest technology and research. The country is also working closely with the government, the industry, the academia, and the civil society, to ensure that its tobacco control policy is aligned with the best interests and expectations of the stakeholders.

South Korea plans to propose stricter guidelines on the portrayal of tobacco and smoking scenes in online video services such as YouTube and Netflix at the upcoming WHO conference. The country has implemented various measures to curb tobacco use and exposure, and aims to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the country. The country faces some challenges and uncertainties in the tobacco control field, and seeks to overcome them with innovation and collaboration.