“Alcohol and tobacco are both class-one carcinogens. But while nicotine marketing is strictly limited, regulations are much more lenient regarding alcohol beverages,” she said, referring to laws requiring tobacco products to carry health warnings.

On Oct. 15, the lawmaker on the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee pointed out the ministry’s efforts to curb drinking fell short compared to its anti-smoking regulations.

According to government data, 16.9 percent of teens engaged in underage drinking last year, which is a 1.9 percent increase from the previous year. Medical costs for treating mental and behavioral disorders from use of alcohol for patients under the age of 19 surged from 260 million won ($224,200) in 2016 to 415 million won in 2017.

The proportion of drinkers at higher risk of harm also increased from 7.5 percent to 8.9 percent over the same period.

“Studies show children and adolescents are more vulnerable to advertisements,” Nam said, adding, “Celebrity endorsements of alcohol products should not be allowed.”

The Health Ministry’s 2018 budget for reducing alcohol consumption stood at 1.3 billion won, only about 1 percent of that allotted for smoking cessation, which is 135.9 billion won.

The ministry’s Mental Health Policy Director Hong Jeong-ik said the government intends to follow through with Nam’s recommendations.

By Kim Arin (arin@heraldcorp.com)