Relatively Less Harmful 'Meogeumneun Tobacco'... Tax Is 7 Times Higher Than Regular Cigarettes

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Eun-mo] There have been voices raised that the tax on "meogeumneun tobacco," which is considered to be relatively less harmful compared to regular combustible cigarettes, is too high.

According to the industry on the 4th, harmful and carcinogenic substances in tobacco are usually generated during the process of burning tobacco, but meogeumneun tobacco does not produce smoke, thereby blocking exposure to harmful and carcinogenic substances, reducing harm to non-smokers, and helping to resolve social conflicts and costs caused by "secondhand smoking."

Meogeumneun tobacco is an oral tobacco product in pouch form, and according to the definition in the Individual Consumption Tax Act, it is "tobacco powder specially processed and packaged to be held in the mouth to produce effects similar to smoking." Currently, meogeumneun tobacco contains nicotine levels similar to or lower than those found in nicotine patches or nicotine gum sold on the market. It contains no tar and only nicotine, so it is explained that it can function similarly to smoking cessation aids.

Despite its relatively lower harmfulness, meogeumneun tobacco is difficult to purchase domestically. An industry official said, "Among countries worldwide that sell meogeumneun tobacco, South Korea is the only one that applies a tax approximately seven times higher on meogeumneun tobacco compared to combustible cigarettes," adding, "In many countries, a lower tax rate is applied compared to combustible cigarettes, and in many cases, meogeumneun tobacco is considered a general consumer good and is not subject to separate tobacco taxes."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially recognizes meogeumneun tobacco as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP). The Ministry of Health and Welfare also acknowledged the indirect smoking prevention effect of meogeumneun tobacco in April, stating that "it is inappropriate to impose health promotion charges differentially based on the degree of tobacco harm."

An industry official said, "Since meogeumneun tobacco has positive effects on social functions as well as the health of smokers and non-smokers, the high tax rate imposed on meogeumneun tobacco should be lowered as soon as possible so that smokers can switch to meogeumneun tobacco."

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