Smoking Warnings to Be Strengthened: "Kidney Cancer" Images Introduced on Cigarette Packs for the First Time

Health Ministry Revises "Labeling of Warning Images and Text on Cigarette Pack Packaging" Notice

Starting in December 2026, newly updated warning images and warning texts will be applied to cigarette packs. Notably, a warning image for kidney cancer is being introduced for the first time, and a new "direct acknowledgment of consequences" style text, which more directly communicates the risks of smoking, is expected to further strengthen the effectiveness of encouraging people to quit smoking.

6th Term Cigarette Pack Warning Images and Text Details. Ministry of Health and Welfare

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on June 21 that it will revise the public notice titled "Labeling of Warning Images and Text on Cigarette Pack Packaging," which encompasses the 6th Phase Cigarette Pack Health Warnings. After a six-month grace period, the revised notice will take effect on December 23, 2026, and the application period will last for two years, until December 22, 2028.

The cigarette pack health warning system is a policy designed to prompt smokers to quit and prevent non-smokers from starting by displaying images and text about the health risks of tobacco use directly on cigarette packs. First introduced in Canada in 2001, it is now implemented in 138 countries worldwide. In Korea, the cigarette pack warning image system was introduced in December 2016, and in accordance with the National Health Promotion Act, the warning images and texts are replaced every two years.

This 6th phase of health warnings was designed to prevent desensitization due to repeated exposure and to communicate health hazards more effectively. The Ministry comprehensively reflected domestic and international research findings, overseas case studies, a national sample survey, and effectiveness evaluations of health warnings in its preparation. In January and February of this year, the Ministry surveyed approximately 2,100 adults and adolescents regarding their awareness of the proposed warnings. The final version was confirmed after an administrative pre-announcement, a World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) consultation, and a review by the relevant committee.

The most notable change is the revision of the warning images for traditional cigarettes. The Ministry replaced the previous subject of erectile dysfunction, which was difficult to express intuitively, with kidney cancer. In addition, five warning images—oral cancer, heart disease, eye disease, peripheral vascular disease, and secondhand smoke—have been updated with new images.

The warning texts have also been changed to more direct expressions. Previously, phrases such as "The road to lung cancer" only implied the consequences, but going forward, more explicit "direct acknowledgment of consequences" statements like "Smoking ends in lung cancer" will be used to clearly show the causal link between smoking and disease. The government expects this will heighten awareness of the health risks associated with smoking.

Warning images and texts for electronic cigarettes will also be strengthened. Reflecting the results of effectiveness evaluations, both warning images for electronic cigarettes will be replaced, and the previously combined warning texts will now be separated into "Nicotine addiction!" and "Cancer risk!" respectively.

Kim Hansuk, Director of the Health Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "We hope that the newly applied cigarette pack health warning messages will further raise awareness of the harmfulness of tobacco and associated health risks." He added, "Going forward, we will continue to review and pursue tobacco regulation policies that meet international standards, such as expanding the area of warning images, increasing the range of products covered by health warnings to include tobacco devices, and introducing plain packaging."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.