When Support Coupons Became Cigarette Coupons: A Tobacco-buying Frenzy

The Unexpected Cigarette Rush

Did you know millions of Koreans received up to 550,000 won in so-called minsaeng recovery coupons this year to boost local spending? Instead of restaurants or theaters, many rushed to convenience stores to stock up on cigarettes, with social media flooded by proof of 15-pack hauls under the hashtag minsaeng support despair. News outlets from Chosun to Yonhap captured the trend as consumers turned tobacco into instant cash by reselling or saving for later—coining the slang tobacco-kang for this cigarette-as-cash phenomenon
Isn’t it wild how a tool meant to revive small businesses morphed into a makeshift smoking grant

Memes, Hashtags, and Hot Debates

Online communities lit up with jokes calling it a smoking support fund or even boasted about pairing cigarettes with energy drinks. On Naver blogs like 코스코 and happiness-freedom, readers argued that buying cigarettes merely circularizes the tax back to the state, while others insisted recipients should be free to spend as they wish. Comments ranged from worry about public health to empathy that stressed households turn to small comforts when times are tough. Even veteran smokers shared tips on storing packs for maximum shelf life, blending humor with frustration in a uniquely Korean digital subculture
Have you ever seen a policy spark such playful outrage

Retailers’ Dilemma and Margin Woes

Convenience store and neighborhood mart owners are caught between gratitude for coupon traffic and dismay at low profits. Tobacco yields roughly a 200-won profit per 4,500-won pack—a mere 5% margin vs typical goods at 20–30%. After the 2020 disaster relief payouts, cigarette sales spiked 4% over the same period the year before, yet retailers ended up nursing surplus stock and little net gain. Tistory bloggers on smartinfo-tree and mudidi note that cigarettes clog shelves and buyer demand can be a logistical pain, prompting many merchants to quietly wish for curated coupon lists
Who knew cigarettes could be such a headache for store owners

Policy Implications and Cultural Context

Back in 2020, the first round of emergency funds also saw a surge in tobacco sales, prompting health advocates to warn of unintended consequences. In Korea’s deep-rooted smoking culture, cigarettes still serve as social glue in certain circles, from office breaks to evening rituals. As chatter intensifies about tightening purchase rules—perhaps banning non-essential sales—this debate underscores the challenge of balancing economic stimulus with public welfare. Could future coupon programs exclude items like tobacco, alcohol, or luxury electronics? One thing’s clear: in Korea, even a well-meaning policy can light up unexpected controversies