Cheapest Cigarettes in Korea

An average pack of cigarettes costs less in Korea than in any of the other 22 OECD nations surveyed, and almost six times cheaper than in Ireland, the most expensive nation for smokers, according to a report released Monday by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Korea's smoking rate, on the other hand, was the second-highest among the OECD nations at over 44 percent. Greece was the only country with a higher rate of around 46 percent.

Tobacco Products Makers Upgraded, Imperial Tobacco

Imperial Tobacco has been handed an infringement notice after local residents complained about the smell coming from its factory. The tobacco giant's plant in Lower Hutt has recently been upgraded, but locals say the work hasn't stopped the "sickly odour" from spreading across the town. The Petone factory has increased its tobacco production and says the smell is a result of steam from blending tobacco leaf and water.