Following their announcement to raise cigarette prices by two-thousand won, ruling and opposition parties are now pushing to introduce graphic images on cigarette packs.

Lawmakers are expected to introduce such measures under a bill to be proposed within this week.

The envisioned regulation also aims to require tobacco companies to cover more than 50 percent of a cigarette pack with a photo warning against the harms of smoking.

Tobacco companies will also be banned from using potentially confusing words such as “mild” and “light” in their product names.

Under the strengthened regulations, the medical treatment costs for people trying to quit smoking will be covered by health insurance as done in the U.S. and Japan.

Tougher anti-smoking measures were nipped in the bud several times because of the tobacco industry’s strong resistance and concerns about a greater financial burden on ordinary people. But many are saying that this year is the best time to introduce stronger anti-smoking measures, since it marks the first year of the new government with no major elections scheduled.