The Saenuri Party faces public criticism for its reported move to introduce cheap, low-quality tobacco products to soothe low earners’ discontent over January’s 80 percent hike in cigarrette prices.

The ruling party, which has taken petitions from a group of low-income senior citizens, is considering holding talks with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on whether to release low-priced tobacco products.

Rep. Yoo Seung-min, floor leader of the Saenuri Party, on Feb. 17 instructed the party’s policy-setting committee to review ways to introduce cheap tobacco products, though he said that nothing had yet been determined.

Yoo reportedly cited the burden of the price hike on low-income citizens.

His opposition counterpart Jeon Byung-hun seemingly echoed his remarks. Jeon said in a press release on Feb. 19 that it was necessary to release hand-rolling tobacco, which is cheaper than ordinary cigarettes.

Government officials, however, expressed skepticism at the proposal.

An official of the Health and Welfare Ministry expressed concern that an adoption of low-priced products would elevate public anger, as it could signal that the cigarette price hike was simply a way of increasing tax revenue.

Ministries, including the Finance Ministry, and the ruling party have continued to argued that the price increase was a matter of public health, rather than tax revenues.

In some countries, hand-rolled tobacco is sold in pouches that also include rolling papers or cigarette tubes. The products are favored by young and low-income smokers.

By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)