"Tobacco Companies Must Pay for Lung Cancer Treatment: 1.5 Million Citizens Sign Petition"

NHIS Submits 1.5 Million-Signature Petition to Court
"Public Outrage Over Tobacco Companies' Lack of Responsibility"
Experts and Citizens Unite for Legal Accountability

In connection with the lawsuit filed by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) against tobacco companies, demanding compensation for insurance benefits spent on the treatment of lung cancer patients, 1.5 million Korean citizens have signed a petition in support.

On the 27th, the NHIS announced that 1.5 million people had participated in the nationwide petition campaign supporting this lawsuit, which holds tobacco companies accountable. This figure overwhelmingly exceeds the initial target of one million participants.

The NHIS originally planned to conduct the petition from March 24 to May 31, but due to enthusiastic participation and requests from the public, the campaign period was extended until June 30.

According to the NHIS, citizens who participated in the petition expressed strong anger, stating, "There are people who are clearly suffering from lung cancer and laryngeal cancer, so why have tobacco companies never once taken responsibility?" Anti-smoking and consumer organizations also raised their voices, saying, "The logic of corporate profit should not come at the expense of public health. The public interest must come first."

Experts in the fields of healthcare and law emphasized the need for institutional responsibility, stating, "The causal relationship between smoking and disease has been sufficiently proven scientifically, and now it is time to discuss legal and social responsibility." In particular, the NHIS explained that medical professionals who have witnessed the dangers of tobacco firsthand in their workplaces, youth who represent the future generation, parents considering the health and future of their children, and even the elderly?all generations and groups?joined the petition with one heart. This has led to the growing recognition that this lawsuit is not an individual issue but a matter of protecting the health of all citizens.

The NHIS submitted the results of this petition, which reflect the strong will of the people, along with a written statement from NHIS President Jung Ki-seok?a senior figure in the medical community and a specialist in respiratory medicine?to the appellate court handling the tobacco lawsuit on the 25th. This provided direction and grounds for the judgment. The NHIS also mentioned the official opinions submitted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), conveying that international public health organizations have supported the legitimacy and public interest of tobacco lawsuits in Korea.

President Jung stated, "Through this nationwide petition, the will of the people has come together as one, and now only the court's historic ruling remains. Until the verdict in the appeals trial, I ask all citizens to remain united so that a just ruling can be delivered for a healthier Republic of Korea."

Previously, in April 2014, the NHIS filed a damages lawsuit against tobacco companies including KT&G, Korea Philip Morris, and BAT Korea, seeking approximately 53.3 billion won. The case is currently in the appeals process.