South Korean Social Organizations Support Lawsuits Against Tobacco Companies and Call for the Establishment of a Smoking Damage Fund

Key Points:

1.The Korean Elderly Association clearly expresses their support for the public health insurance tobacco lawsuit.

2.Smoking's long-term impact on the health of the elderly population has sparked concern.

3.Tobacco companies may face pressure to establish a fund for smoking victims.

According to a report from the Korean News Agency on June 10th, the Korean Association of Senior Citizens publicly expressed their support for the efforts of the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation in their lawsuit against tobacco companies. The case is currently in the appeals trial stage and will soon receive a final judgment.

During a meeting with the Korea Health Insurance Corporation, the president of the Korean Elderly Association, Lee Joong-geun, stated:

"Due to the long-term damage to health caused by smoking, the elderly generation may be at a higher risk of developing more deadly diseases. The resulting increase in medical expenses will create a significant burden on society as a whole. Therefore, the lawsuit by the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation against tobacco companies is an issue that the entire population needs to support."

Li Zhonggen also believes that these tobacco companies are making huge profits by manufacturing and selling cigarettes, but fail to take any responsibility. He calls for tobacco companies to demonstrate a sense of responsibility by establishing a smoking damage fund and other means.

As early as April 2014, the Korea Health Insurance Corporation filed a lawsuit for damages against multiple tobacco companies including KT&G, Korean PMI Company, and BAT Korea Company, seeking approximately 533 billion Korean won in damages. This amount is equivalent to the medical expenses paid by 3,465 individuals with a history of smoking for over thirty years, or individuals with a history of smoking one pack a day for twenty years who have been diagnosed with lung cancer or throat cancer.

The direction of the case has attracted widespread attention in society, with people from all walks of life calling for strengthened regulation and accountability measures on tobacco companies to better protect public health.