[The Hwankyung Ilbo] The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that all cigarette packs released from December 23 will be marked with new warning images and phrases.

The government changes the warning pictures as part of its efforts to raise the warning effects of smoking as two years have passed since the current graphic warning was introduced in 2016.

The World Health Organization also recommends that the warning image be changed and revised periodically.

All waring images on cigarette packs including 10 kinds for cigarette and 1 for electronic cigarette will be replaced with new pictures to maximize the warning effect.

The new images will also include tooth discoloration and effectively deliver the side-effect of smoking such as nicotine addiction and cancer occurrence.

The warning picture is one of the most effective anti-smoking policies recommended by the World Health Organization, which began in 2001 in Canada and is currently being implemented in 105 countries.

Since the system was introduced on December 23, 2016, the number of cigarettes sold and the smoking rate in Korea decreased in 2017.

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