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

Smoking Rate Drops to 17.9%, Vaping Rate Climbs to 9.3% in South Korea
Smoking Rate Drops to 17.9%, Vaping Rate Climbs to 9.3% in South Korea
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released its 2025 Community Health Survey results covering more than 230,000 adults. Traditional cigarette smoking dropped to 17.9%, down 1 percentage point from last year, while e-cigarette use increased to 9.3%, up 0.6 points. Overall tobacco product use stood at 22.1%, a slight decline from 2024 but still 0.5 points higher than 2019.
Dec.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Australian Border Force Seizes 586M Cigarettes and 3M Vapes in Record First Quarter
Australian Border Force Seizes 586M Cigarettes and 3M Vapes in Record First Quarter
Australian Border Force (ABF), 586 million cigarettes and over 3 million vapes were seized at Australia’s international border in the first quarter of the 2024–25 financial year (July 1–September 30), marking a continued upward trend over the past two years. Enhanced intelligence and data-sharing have enabled ABF to target suspicious consignments more effectively across all entry points.
Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Australia TGA Warns Delivery Platforms: Don’t Promote or Supply Vapes Illegally
Australia TGA Warns Delivery Platforms: Don’t Promote or Supply Vapes Illegally
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) warned online delivery platforms not to breach Australian vape laws and said it worked with two major companies to remove non-compliant material. Under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, advertising vapes to the public is banned and sales are pharmacy-only; tobacconists and convenience stores cannot supply vapes. TGA will continue enforcement, with severe penalties for breaches.
Oct.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Putin Supports Full Russia-Wide Vape Sales Ban
Putin Supports Full Russia-Wide Vape Sales Ban
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his backing to a nationwide sales ban on vapes during a visit to Samara and stressed that “it’s not only such a decision that is important, but also the corresponding work among youth.”
Nov.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Cambodia MoT warns: Businesses using vaping and shisha  will have their operating licences revoked
Cambodia MoT warns: Businesses using vaping and shisha will have their operating licences revoked
Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism has issued a new directive prohibiting all tourism service establishments from possessing, selling, importing, storing, or advertising e-cigarettes and shisha-related products. Violators will face written warnings, suspension of operations, or even revocation of their tourism business licenses. The measure is part of a nationwide ban enacted under Sub-Decree No. 02 BB, issued by the Royal Government on October 21.
Nov.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
British Museum Ends Long-Running Sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International
British Museum Ends Long-Running Sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International
According to The Guardian, the British Museum has ended its 15-year sponsorship with Japan Tobacco International after government inquiries into whether the deal breached WHO tobacco-control rules. Critics had long opposed the partnership, while the museum said sponsorship remains essential for its financial stability and public access.
Nov.20