Graphic tobacco warnings benefit TMON, eBay

Local e-commerce firms got a windfall thanks to the latest anti-smoking law enforcing tobacco manufacturers to put warning pictures highlighting the deadly risks of smoking on cigarette packaging.

Online retailers such as Ticket Monster (TMON) and eBay Korea are enjoying increases in sales of cigarette cases which cover up the horrific images of smoking-related diseases, such as lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, oral cancer and cardiac disorder.

Sales of cigarette cases at Auction, the nation’s leading e-commerce platform run by eBay Korea, rose 1,500 percent year-on-year, between last Dec. 23 and Jan. 20 this year. The government enacted the new law on Dec. 23.

In particular, Auction’s January sales of cigarette cases rose 191 percent from a month earlier and 674 percent from a year earlier. Sales have increased for two consecutive months.

Social commerce website TMON sold 614 percent more cigarette cases than a year earlier, between Dec. 23 and Feb. 2. Sales of cartons of cigarettes on WeMakePrice, another social commerce website, also rose 280 percent year-on-year, over the same period.

Other e-commerce platforms — Gmarket and 11st — have enjoyed sales growth since the law’s implementation as well.

In addition, cigarette sales did not go down even after the drastic measure came into effect. Data compiled by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance showed sales rising 4.9 percent last month from a year earlier.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare expected the country’s smoking rate to fall by 4.5 percent after putting the graphic warning images on cigarette packets.