[Column] Tobacco Lawsuit for Public Health: Now It's Time for Tobacco Companies to Respond

Kim Kyunho / Member of the Seo-gu Council, Gwangju Metropolitan City

Kim Kyunho, Gwangju Seo District Council Member.

Recently, I heard that the number of citizens who have signed the national petition supporting the National Health Insurance Service's tobacco lawsuit has surpassed 1.5 million. This means that about 5% of the entire population has directly expressed their opinion, demonstrating that there is already a strong national consensus on the necessity and legitimacy of the tobacco lawsuit.

The causal relationship between smoking and cancer is no longer a matter of debate; it is a scientific fact. Smokers are about 35 times more likely to develop lung cancer and 7 times more likely to develop laryngeal cancer compared to non-smokers. In addition, the health risks of secondhand smoke are equivalent to smoking several cigarettes a day. No one can deny that smoking poses a serious threat to public health.

In 2014, the National Health Insurance Service filed a damages lawsuit worth 53.3 billion won against KT&G, Philip Morris Korea, and BAT Korea. However, in 2020, the court of first instance dismissed the claim, interpreting smoking solely as a matter of personal choice and overlooking issues such as product defects and insufficient warnings or labeling.

It is regrettable that, despite numerous rulings overseas recognizing the responsibility of tobacco companies, our courts have continued to take a passive stance. Currently, the National Health Insurance Service is pursuing an appeal and awaiting a final verdict.

In this context, the Seo-gu Council of Gwangju Metropolitan City became the first in the nation last November to adopt a resolution urging the recognition of tobacco product defects and the assumption of social responsibility. The resolution called on tobacco companies to acknowledge product defects and take responsibility for the financial burden on the National Health Insurance Service and the social damages caused by smoking. It also urged the central government and local governments to strengthen smoke-free environments in accordance with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This was not merely a declaration, but a duty of the local council to safeguard the public's right to health.

The National Health Insurance Service's tobacco lawsuit is not just a claim for damages. It is a just lawsuit to protect the public's right to know and right to health, and to open a healthier future for Korea. Tobacco companies must no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people. The courts must also deliver a wise verdict that meets the demands of the times and the will of the people.

Since national support has already been confirmed, I sincerely hope and support that this tobacco lawsuit will yield meaningful results and help our society take another step toward becoming a healthier and safer community.