The Ministry of Health and Welfare on Wednesday drew a clear line on proposals to raise the National Health Promotion Levy on cigarettes and impose a new levy on alcoholic beverages, stating it is "not currently reviewing" either measure.
The ministry held a National Health Promotion Policy Review Committee meeting the previous day to deliberate and approve the 6th National Health Promotion Comprehensive Plan (2026–2030).
The plan includes provisions for reviewing the health promotion levy and an alcohol levy, which had been part of the policy framework since the 5th Comprehensive Plan (2021–2030).
"The review of tobacco price increases and alcohol levy imposition is a mid-to-long-term policy direction under the 10-year plan announced in 2021, and is not a newly added item," the ministry said, adding that it is "not currently under review."
"These review measures could have significant ripple effects on the public and the national economy, so a thorough discussion and public opinion gathering process is necessary," the ministry explained. "We will review them after collecting input from experts and the public."
When the 5th plan was announced in 2021, public attention also focused on potential tobacco price hikes. At the time, the ministry noted that "this is not something to be pursued immediately in the short term. We will prioritize research and discussion first."
