The prevalence of smoking among men in South Korea has declined by 50% compared to its level 20 years ago, which is an accomplishment due to the implementation of stricter tobacco control policies such as ratification of the WHO FCTC, an increase of the tobacco tax and price, expansion of the non-smoking area, and introduction of health warnings on the cigarette products. Nonetheless, the smoking prevalence in men is still among the highest in the world and among the OECD countries. Also, the smoking prevalence in men in their 40s and women in their 20s and 30s has been on the increase. Policymakers also face new challenges, as they respond to rapid changes in smoking behaviors of the nation’s population, due to the expansion of new and emerging tobacco products (e.g. e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products), and the limited reach of the national smoking-cessation services during the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the Health Plan 2030 goals, which are strengthening health equity and protecting people’s health from the harms of tobacco, the government ought to take actions fully employing effective policy interventions including both price and non-price policies.

The socioeconomic cost of smoking in Korea was estimated to be over 12 trillion won as of 2019. This article discusses how the cigarette pricing policy should be implemented and how National Health Promotion excise taxes on cigarettes should be made use of, with a view to preventing the socio-economic harm caused by smoking. As the health of youth and low-income groups is in decline as a result of smoking , it is necessary to actively discuss ways in which the tobacco price policy should be implemented. It is also necessary to review the tobacco tax system as soon as possible. The health promotion excise taxation on tobacco requires an overall effective and efficient redesign and a restructuring of budget allocation, breaking away from the path-dependency of the health promotionproject.

capacity, coverage and variety. NTSC has been recognized by the WHO FCTC as a best practice case of smoking cessation services. Various services and protocols have been implemented to help smokers quit, resulting in a high use rate and a high smoking cessation rate among tobacco users. For better services in the future, a comprehensive NTCS delivery system should be planned and implemented. Such a system should be set up with appropriate roles ascribed to different service programs and a mechanism to coordinate them. There is a need also for an evaluation system for monitoring the performance and effect of service delivery, application of standardized service protocol, and cooperation and making synergism with other tobacco control policies and programs.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Ninth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO FCTC (COP9) had been delayed to 8-13 November 2021. The 161 Parties to the WHO FCTC gathered virtually for COP9 and discussed the implementation of the WHO FCTC Articles 9 and 10. The expert group of Articles 9 and 10 attributed the limited implementation of the Articles to a lack of awareness and understanding of the potential impact and contribution of Articles 9 and 10 on a comprehensive tobacco control strategy among regulators policy-makers and nongovernmental organizations. Insufficient fund, technical capacity and human resources were also pointed out as factors that hinder the implementation of Articles 9 and 10. COP9 also discussed emerging tobacco products. The WHO prepared a comprehensive report on research and evidence on emerging tobacco products, in particular heated tobacco products (HTPs), and suggested that Parties recognized HTPs including their devices as tobacco products and were reminded about their commitment under the WHO FCTC when addressing the challenges posed by HTPs. In addition, COP9 adopted the “Declaration on WHO FCTC and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic” that stresses the need to protect public health policy from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.

Motivation is important for health behavior improvement such as smoking cessation, moderate drinking, and physical activity. This paper analyzed public perception of incentives for promoting health behaviors and explored its association with intention to change health behaviors among the public. About 75% of men and 73.4% of women responded that incentives for promoting health behaviors is necessary in the online survey conducted in June 2021. More than 50% of smokers or heavy drinkers had a plan to quit smoking or to reduce alcohol consumption. Three in four persons answered that they would increase their physical activity or walking. Those who had a plan to change their health behaviors had a positive perception of incentives for promoting health behaviors. It suggests that incentives for promoting health behaviors have a beneficial effect on health behavior improvement. However, as health behaviors are affected by various factors, there is a need for more detailed policy-making.

Digital health literacy includes competencies such as access to health information, understanding of health information in need, making decision based on the health information, and utilization of health information. This study aimed at investigating digital health literacy among South Korean Adults and related policy measures. The result of an on-line survey revealed that four dimensions of DHL were positively related to health literacy measurement scale. Seeking on-line health information was regarded by respondents to be relatively easy. But respondents in general found it difficult to find relevant information and determine its reliability. DHL had positive association in perceived health, sleeping quality, healthy diet and physical activity. Finally, it is recommended that DHL policy support is needed to improve the health of the public.