Prevalence and Patterns of Smoking in South Korea

Oct.24.2022
Prevalence and Patterns of Smoking in South Korea
Researchers at Seoul National University Hospital found that South Korean men are using more heated tobacco products than e-cigarettes.

A team led by Professor Cheol-Min Lee of the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital conducted a study surveying 6,188 adult males and females aged 19 and over who participated in the 2019 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The overall usage rate (smoking rate) of traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and heated cigarettes among adults was 19% (1,181 people). Of each type of cigarette use, traditional cigarettes (34.7% for males, 5.9% for females) had the highest usage rate, followed by heated cigarettes (8.8% for males, 1.5% for females) and electronic cigarettes (4.3% for males, 1.0% for females).


The usage of heated tobacco products in South Korea, which were introduced in 2017, is almost double the usage of e-cigarettes, which were first introduced in 2003. Among heated tobacco product users, only 23.6% use one type, while 58.0% use two types (regular cigarettes or e-cigarettes) and 18.4% use all three types. Since their introduction, e-cigarettes have posed various potential risks to human health. Heated tobacco products, which were first launched in 2014, are rapidly gaining market share. According to Euromonitor International's 2019 data, the largest heated tobacco product markets in the world are Japan ($8.6 billion), South Korea ($1.6 billion), and Italy ($1 billion). Although users claim a lower dependence and poorer health status compared to smokers, many facts about their impact on human health remain unknown.


The findings of this study were published in the latest English journal of the Korean Society of Family Medicine and presented at the Korea Food Exchange Forum (KOFRUM).


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party sources for industry professionals to exchange and learn from.


This article does not express the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the truthfulness or accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is only intended for industry-related communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the translator's ability, the translated article may not fully reflect the original. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.


4. 2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government regarding any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign-related statements and positions.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author(s). If there is an infringement, please contact us to request deletion.


This document has been generated through artificial intelligence translation and is provided solely for the purposes of industry discourse and learning. Please note that the intellectual property rights of the content belong to the original media source or author. Owing to certain limitations in the translation process, there may be discrepancies between the translated text and the original content. We recommend referring to the original source for complete accuracy. In case of any inaccuracies, we invite you to reach out to us with corrections. If you believe any content has infringed upon your rights, please contact us immediately for its removal.

2Firsts Insights | From Limited-Edition Frenzy to Interactive Lead-Gen: The 2025 Halloween Shift in Vape Marketing
2Firsts Insights | From Limited-Edition Frenzy to Interactive Lead-Gen: The 2025 Halloween Shift in Vape Marketing
For Halloween 2025, leading vape brands such as HQD and ELFBAR are running overseas social-media engagement campaigns—covering points programs and UGC giveaways with age/region restrictions. Unlike 2024’s wave of themed devices, no brand-new Halloween limited editions have appeared on major U.S. channels this year; only RAZ has restocked last year’s version.
Oct.31 by 2FIRSTS.ai
JTI launches Ploom AURA new heated tobacco device device in Romania
JTI launches Ploom AURA new heated tobacco device device in Romania
Japan Tobacco International(JTI) introduces Ploom AURA in Romania, combining SMART HEATFLOW technology to preserve tobacco flavor, aiming at high-end consumers.
Oct.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New Zealand Health Ministry launches e-cigarette and nicotine pod procurement project for smoking cessation services
New Zealand Health Ministry launches e-cigarette and nicotine pod procurement project for smoking cessation services
Health NZ launches e-cigarette and nicotine pod procurement project for 29 government-funded smoking cessation services, following WHO guidelines.
Oct.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Cambodia Enforces Full Ban on E-Cigarettes and Shisha to Protect Youth
Cambodia Enforces Full Ban on E-Cigarettes and Shisha to Protect Youth
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet signs order to strengthen enforcement of e-cigarette and shisha bans, citing health risks and youth usage.
Oct.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
COP11 Update: Deep Divide Over Regulation of E-cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches as EU Pushes Back Against "Total Ban" Draft
COP11 Update: Deep Divide Over Regulation of E-cigarettes and Nicotine Pouches as EU Pushes Back Against "Total Ban" Draft
At the ongoing COP11 in Geneva,a bloc led by Brazil and the Maldives has submitted a draft proposing "prohibition" as the primary policy path. In response, the European Union has submitted amendments requesting that the wording be adjusted to optional regulation, preserving the right of member states to decide on sales bans based on their own national laws.
Nov.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
SKE’s Parent Company Yinghe Technology Reports 80% Drop in Q3 Net Profit, Revenue Up 22.85% Year-on-Year
SKE’s Parent Company Yinghe Technology Reports 80% Drop in Q3 Net Profit, Revenue Up 22.85% Year-on-Year
Yinghe Technology (SZ: 300457), parent company of SKE, saw Q3 net profit plunge 80.3% to 31.06 million yuan, while revenue rose 22.85% to 2.52 billion yuan. The decline was mainly driven by higher costs and expenses.
Oct.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai