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.

EU Novel Tobacco Regulation Trends and Business Response | Guest Contribution by a European Legal and Compliance Expert
EU Novel Tobacco Regulation Trends and Business Response | Guest Contribution by a European Legal and Compliance Expert
Carlos Cabrera, founder of CabLab Law & Advocacy, contributes this article to 2Firsts, arguing that the EU’s evolving approach to novel tobacco regulation may unintentionally reinforce cigarette use by narrowing alternatives. He warns companies to watch signals on flavours, labelling, traceability, nicotine pouch rules and digital marketing, while grounding business decisions in realistic timelines, compliance planning and continuous monitoring.
Apr.22
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Nature Health Comment Urges Wider Role for Smoke-Free Nicotine Products in Tobacco Control
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, a Nature Health Comment by Robert Beaglehole, Ruth Bonita and Tikki Pang argues that regulated smoke-free nicotine products could help accelerate the global decline in smoking. The authors propose a “smoke-free 2040” goal and call for risk-proportionate regulation distinguishing cigarettes from lower-risk nicotine alternatives.
News
May.20
Cambodia Moves to Draft New Tobacco Control Strategy Targeting Illicit Products and E-Cigarette Spread
Cambodia Moves to Draft New Tobacco Control Strategy Targeting Illicit Products and E-Cigarette Spread
Cambodian Health Minister Cheang Ra has called for the development of a tobacco control strategy for 2027–2031, with the goal of reducing tobacco use by 30% by 2030. The directive was issued during a Tobacco Product Control Committee meeting in Phnom Penh. Priority areas include reducing tobacco use, protecting the public from secondhand smoke, tackling illegal and counterfeit tobacco products, and preventing the spread of e-cigarettes.
Apr.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Imperial Brands Pulls myblu Vape Business From U.S., Citing Prolonged FDA Approval Process
Imperial Brands Pulls myblu Vape Business From U.S., Citing Prolonged FDA Approval Process
Imperial Brands said it will phase out its myblu vaping business in the United States, citing prolonged FDA approval timelines for new vape products. The company said it will instead focus on modern oral nicotine products in the U.S., including the expansion of its Zone brand and new flavors. While overall next-generation product revenue continued to grow, revenue from the category in the Americas declined sharply.
May.12
ZYN by IQOS to Roll Out Across Tokyo From May 11 Through IQOS Shops and Lawson
ZYN by IQOS to Roll Out Across Tokyo From May 11 Through IQOS Shops and Lawson
Philip Morris Japan announced on April 23 at a product briefing that ZYN by IQOS, an oral tobacco pouch previously launched in selected areas, will expand sales in Tokyo. The company said the product will be released progressively from May 11 through IQOS shops, Lawson and other outlets in the city. The launch will include four flavors, each offered in Low and Medium intensity levels, for a total of eight products.
Apr.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
South Korea Expands Tobacco Harmful Components Testing System to Cover Synthetic Nicotine Liquid Vapes
South Korea Expands Tobacco Harmful Components Testing System to Cover Synthetic Nicotine Liquid Vapes
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said on April 17 that it has additionally designated the International Characterization Research Institute as a tobacco harmful components testing body under the Act on the Management of Tobacco Harmfulness. The institute has research experience in analyzing harmful components in liquid e-cigarettes and has obtained recognition for tobacco-sector ISO 17025 requirements.
Apr.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai