Nonsmoking Campaign Brisk in DPRK

Pyongyang, May 4 (KCNA) -- An anti-smoking campaign has been encouraged in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Tobacco Control Law was adopted on July 20, Juche 94 (2005) to lay a legal foundation for the campaign. This law was amended and supplemented in December 2009 and November 2012. The government has decreased the area of fields under cultivation of tobacco as much as possible. Meanwhile, the production of cigarettes can be allowed at a state-approved unit only under the condition that a warning notice and other necessary marks are displayed on cigarette pack. Sale of tobacco is strictly prohibited to nonages. According to Choe Suk Hyon, an official of the Ministry of Public Health, in the country the ratio of male smokers in 2013 decreased more than 8 percent as against the figure four years ago. And the number of nonsmokers is remarkably increasing with each passing day. The DPRK joined the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on April 27, 2005 and has hosted various events on World No Tobacco Day (May 31) every year. -0-