Last year, the country's parliament approved an 80% increase in the price of cigarettes, from 2,500 won ($2.25; £1.47) per packet to 4,500 won, in an effort to curb smoking. Tobacco sales fell by nearly half on New Year's Day compared to the previous year, industry sources tell the Korea Herald website , although some observers say the drop could also be because of "hoarding" prior to the price rise. The government is hoping it's a longer-term trend, and is forecasting that cigarette sales will fall by 34% in 2015. The country's smoking ban has also been expanded to include restaurants, bars and cafes of all sizes. It previously only applied to larger establishments.