The Battle over Tobacco Tax - 180 Won Vs. 150 Won.

Controversy over deciding the tobacco tax for the normalization of Health Insurance`s finance is expected at the National Assembly meeting of Health and Welfare Committee on the 7th, as the ruling party insists on 180 won per pack while the opposition party objects.

The ruling party is demanding that the original charge of 150 won be raised to 180 won because the special finance- normalization bill for Health Insurance to supplement financial deficit was delayed and the amount was consequently increased.

"There was no party conference, but apparently, as it is the only way to fill the deficit, the government proposal must be accepted." said Park Jong Woo, chairman of the Democratic policy coordination committee.

However, Jun Jae Hee of the opposition party argued, "It is more important to reduce deficit- causing factors like unnecessary expenses and false claims."

Sim Jae Chul and Park Si Kyun, opposition party members of the Health and Welfare Committee, also asserted, "Citizens should not be responsible for the government`s mismanagement, and funds created by the tobacco tax should also be invested in Business Health Insurance."

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com