Increase in Chronic Diseases Despite Recovery from COVID-19 Pandemic

News by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.12.2023
Increase in Chronic Diseases Despite Recovery from COVID-19 Pandemic
According to Naver on December 7, after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, the proportion of chronic diseases such as overeating, obesity, and hypertension has increased.

According to a report by Naver on December 7th, despite the resumption of daily life and improvements in sports activities in South Korea after three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as binge eating, obesity, and hypertension.

 

The "National Health and Nutrition Survey" is a survey conducted in accordance with the National Health Promotion Law, targeting individuals with an annual income of over 10,000 yuan. It covers over 250 public health indicators, including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, nutrition, and chronic diseases.

 

The results indicate that although smoking rates have slightly declined in 2021, alcohol consumption rates have once again risen. Moreover, both men and women have shown an increase in participation in physical activities compared to last year.

 

The smoking rate among men last year was 36.6%, while it was 7.2% among women. The smoking rate for men remained the same as the previous year, while it decreased by 1.3 percentage points for women. Currently, the prevalence of smoking among men is 30%, while it is 5% among women, representing a decrease of 1.3 and 1.9 percentage points respectively compared to the previous year.

 

The smoking rate for vaping has seen a slight increase compared to last year, with 5.6% of men and 1.3% of women engaging in this activity. Additionally, there has been a growth in the use of heated tobacco products in the form of e-cigarettes (HNB products) as well. Among men, the usage rate has reached 9.2%, while for women it stands at 2.4%.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Report: Smoking Rates Remain Unchanged Despite Kazakhstan’s Vape Ban
Report: Smoking Rates Remain Unchanged Despite Kazakhstan’s Vape Ban
According to Exclusive.KZ, Kazakhstan’s Strategy Public Foundation released a study finding that strict tobacco and vape bans have not reduced smoking rates, which remain at 18–20%. The report calls for harm reduction approaches based on international best practices.
Nov.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Tobacco-Free Kids Condemns PMI for Marketing Zyn to Youth via F1 Sponsorship
Tobacco-Free Kids Condemns PMI for Marketing Zyn to Youth via F1 Sponsorship
Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, issued a statement on December 10, 2025, condemning Philip Morris International (PMI) for partnering with Ferrari to promote Zyn nicotine pouches on Formula 1 cars. She said PMI’s claim that the sponsorship targets adults is misleading, as F1’s audience has become increasingly young—with over 4 million children aged 8–12 now following the sport.
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Moroccan Government Rejects Opposition Proposal to Increase Excise Tax on E-Cigarettes
Moroccan Government Rejects Opposition Proposal to Increase Excise Tax on E-Cigarettes
Moroccan government has firmly rejected proposals from opposition parties to increase the internal consumption tax (TIC) on e-cigarettes and related products under the 2026 Finance Bill. Budget Minister Delegate Fouzi Lekjaa argued that raising excise duties would not reduce demand and would instead encourage smuggling. Opposition groups emphasized the growing health risks and rising popularity of vaping among young people.
Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Scandinavian Tobacco Group Reports Q3 2025 Results and Narrows Full-Year Guidance
Scandinavian Tobacco Group Reports Q3 2025 Results and Narrows Full-Year Guidance
Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) reported net sales of DKK 2.4 billion for Q3 2025, in line with last year. EBITDA before special items reached DKK 519 million with a 22.0% margin. Handmade Cigars and Next Generation Products saw organic growth, while Machine-Rolled Cigars and Smoking Tobacco declined. The company narrowed its full-year guidance.
Nov.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia’s Cabinet Agrees in Principle to Nationwide Vape Ban
Malaysia’s Cabinet Agrees in Principle to Nationwide Vape Ban
Malaysia is accelerating efforts toward a nationwide ban on vaping, with the Health Ministry aiming to finalise the policy by 2026. Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Cabinet has already agreed in principle to move toward a ban, stressing that the issue is no longer whether vaping will be banned, but when.
Dec.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russia Plans to Allow Regional Vape Sales Bans from September 2026
Russia Plans to Allow Regional Vape Sales Bans from September 2026
Russia’s Ministry of Finance (Минфин) has drafted amendments to an existing licensing bill that would grant regional authorities the power to ban retail sales of vapes and nicotine liquids from September 1, 2026, to September 1, 2031, RBC reported. Stores violating the ban would lose their tobacco retail licenses.
Nov.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai