A group of smokers called on the government Monday to shelve its plan to sharply raise cigarette prices, saying it will increase the financial burden on low-income people.
Last week, the government announced it will push to raise the price of cigarettes by 2,000 won (US$1.92) per pack, an about 80 percent increase from the current average price of 2,500 won, starting next year. The plan requires parliamentary approval before it can go into effect.