Tobacco sales are expected to fall this year due to the impact of tobacco control regulations on smoker prevalence, Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unnamed official.

2017 tobacco sales are expected to drop by 5.5 per cent to 3.4 billion packs from the 3.6 billion sold in 2016. The 2016 smoking rate of 40.7 per cent among males aged over 19 years is also expected to drop, the official from the Ministry of Health and Welfare told Yonhap.
2015 price hikes, graphic warnings implemented in 2016 and curbs on smoking in public places were all cited as triggering the expected fall in sales.