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.

Organigram Global Appoints Former BAT Global Head of Strategy James Yamanaka as Chief Executive Officer
Organigram Global Appoints Former BAT Global Head of Strategy James Yamanaka as Chief Executive Officer
Organigram Global has named James Yamanaka, previously Global Head of Strategy at British American Tobacco (BTI), as its new CEO. His appointment is expected to take effect around January 15, 2026, and he will also join the company’s board. Yamanaka brings more than 20 years of strategic and managerial experience from roles across Europe and Asia at BTI.
Nov.26
JUUL Plans to Launch New E-cigarette Juul2 in the U.S., Featuring App-Based Identity Verification and Awaiting Regulatory Approval
JUUL Plans to Launch New E-cigarette Juul2 in the U.S., Featuring App-Based Identity Verification and Awaiting Regulatory Approval
JUUL plans to launch Juul2 with biometric protection system in the US, targeting adult smokers while preventing underage use.
Oct.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT Japan to raise prices of glo heated-tobacco sticks by about 4%–5%
BAT Japan to raise prices of glo heated-tobacco sticks by about 4%–5%
BAT Japan said it will raise retail prices by ¥20 (about $0.13) per pack for 16 glo heated-tobacco stick brands—11 Lucky Strike and five Kent—effective January 1, 2026. The company will also lift prices for 12 VELO nicotine pouch brands by ¥20–¥40 per pack from December 1, 2025.
Oct.21 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly
Teen Nicotine Use Surges in Pakistan as Flavoured Vapes Spread Rapidly
Pakistan is experiencing a sharp rise in nicotine use among teenagers, driven by widespread availability of flavoured vapes and e-cigarettes. Cheap, sweet-flavoured devices are easily accessible in major cities, and weak enforcement of age limits has enabled young users to adopt vaping at alarming rates. Activists warn that industry marketing falsely portrays e-cigarettes as “safer,” putting youth at risk of long-term addiction and serious health effects.
Nov.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | “2+20” Configuration and Magnetic Semi-Enclosed Design: JNR Open-System E-cigarette Enters the UK Market
Product | “2+20” Configuration and Magnetic Semi-Enclosed Design: JNR Open-System E-cigarette Enters the UK Market
The e-cigarette brand JNR has recently launched its open-system product, JNR Whale, in the UK market, with the device now available through online retail channels such as Vape Sourcing and IDEA VAPE. The product features a 2+20 ml refillable configuration, combined with a dual mesh coil and a magnetic design, and is priced at approximately £11.99 across retail channels.
Dec.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
2Firsts Observation|PMI Launches IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI Limited Edition at Dubai Airport
2Firsts Observation|PMI Launches IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI Limited Edition at Dubai Airport
2Firsts observed that Philip Morris International (PMI) has set up a large-scale IQOS display at Dubai International Airport’s duty-free area, featuring the TEREA tobacco stick series with promotional offers. The brand also showcased its limited-edition collaboration with Italian design house SELETTI — IQOS ILUMA i × SELETTI — further strengthening its premium image through artistic design.
Nov.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai