Smoking in South Korea
In South Korea, smoking is legal and tobacco is subject to a range of regulatory measures. Cigarette sales are permitted to be purchased through vending machines, however, buying them online is not allowed. Importing cigarettes for trade is allowed with appropriate documentations. Additionally, health warnings on their packaging are mandatory, the minimum legal age for purchasing tobacco products including cigarettes is 19 years, and smoking is restricted in public places under national smoke-free legislation. Tobacco advertising is regulated, but a complete ban on all forms of advertising is not in place. Cigarettes are taxed with a total taxation rate of 73.85%, including an excise tax component of 64.76%. As of 2024, South Korea had approximately 8.1 million current smokers, representing an adult current smoking prevalence of 17.6%. Among adult males, the prevalence was substantially higher with 30.2%, compared to 5.1% among adult females. This prevalence was reported to be 18.9% overall in 2022. In 2021, an estimated 44,308 deaths were attributed to tobacco smoking in South Korea, including 35,471 male and 8,837 female deaths. This makes approximately 13.38% of all deaths in the country—19.9% among males and 5.78% among females.
Read articles from South Korea
November 27, 2024 by straitstimes.com
South Korean Bill proposed to mandate anti-smoking warnings on e-cigarettes
The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Seoul supports a legislative proposal for health warnings on e-cigarettes. Various Bills aim to amend tobacco regulations to include e-cigarettes, addressing marketing and tax loopholes. Proposed changes include warning labels on devices and advertising restrictions to reduce appeal to youth. Despite e-cigarettes' popularity, regulations struggle to keep pace. Youth e-cigarette use has increased, with many transitioning to regular cigarettes. The Ministry's endorsement signifies a move towards stricter controls on new tobacco products.
November 25, 2024 by koreaherald.com
Bill proposed to mandate antismoking warnings on e-cigarettes
The Ministry of Health and Welfare supports a legislative proposal for health warnings on e-cigarettes. Various bills aim to amend the National Health Promotion Act regarding e-cigarettes and tobacco products, proposing warnings and advertising restrictions. E-cigarette regulations lag behind their increasing usage, and they are not taxed like traditional tobacco products. Studies show a rise in youth e-cigarette use, with many transitioning to regular cigarettes. Warning labels and restrictions are proposed to combat their appeal to young people, as they are sold with fewer regulations compared to traditional tobacco products.
October 29, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu
Switching to vapes beneficial for smokers with heart disease, landmark study finds
Switching to vaping or quitting smoking altogether reduces fatal cardiac events in heart disease patients, a South Korean study reveals. Published in the European Heart Journal, the research emphasizes the benefits of e-cigarettes in reducing Major Adverse Coronary Events (MACE). Of the patients studied, those who switched to vaping or quit smoking had lower MACE rates compared to smokers. Success rates varied with only 40.7% quitting smoking after treatment for coronary artery disease (CAD). The study concludes that vaping is a viable alternative for patients struggling to quit smoking post-treatment. The findings challenge misconceptions about nicotine's impact on heart health and suggest considering vaping as a cessation aid for smokers unable to quit completely.
September 03, 2024 by inquirer.net
Korean study finds more smokers switch to heated tobacco products
A South Korean study supports heated tobacco products (HTPs) as a tool for smokers to quit, reducing harmful chemicals without increasing smoking initiation. The innovation delivers nicotine without combustion, eliminating toxic smoke. Researchers found no gateway effect to smoking with HTPs, highlighting a potential harm reduction tool for adult smokers. Smoke-free products like HTPs have played a role in transitioning nearly a million former smokers in the Philippines. The study also noted trends in user demographics and market growth in Korea, suggesting public health benefits from HTP adoption. Policymakers can use these findings to shape tobacco regulations and taxation.
July 25, 2024 by dailynewsegypt.com
Heated Tobacco Products Increase Smoking Cessation Chances: Study
A recent research study conducted by experts at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade revealed that the majority of heated tobacco product users were previously smokers of traditional cigarettes before switching to newer products that heat tobacco instead of burning it.
July 25, 2024 by dailynewsegypt.com
Heated Tobacco Products Increase Smoking Cessation Chances: Study
A recent research study conducted by experts at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade revealed that the majority of heated tobacco product users were previously smokers of traditional cigarettes before switching to newer products that heat tobacco instead of burning it.
July 24, 2024 by arqam.news
Study: Heated Tobacco Products Increase Smoking Cessation Chances; 99.4% of Users Switched from Traditional Cigarettes
A recent research study conducted by experts at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade revealed that the majority of heated tobacco product users were previously smokers of traditional cigarettes before switching to newer products that heat tobacco instead of burning it.
May 17, 2024 by tobaccoreporter.com
Korea Wants to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine as Tobacco
South Korea plans to regulate synthetic nicotine as tobacco by amending the Tobacco Business Act. Currently, the Act does not cover e-cigarette liquids made from synthetic nicotine, leading to a lack of product regulations including health warnings and taxes. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy and Finance will work together on the revisions. The move comes after an announcement by BAT regarding a potential synthetic nicotine product release in South Korea. The growing popularity of e-cigarettes in the country has prompted the need for updated legislation to address this trend.
April 22, 2021 by koreatimes.co.kr
Underage smoking, drinking rates lower amid pandemic
The number of underage smokers and drinkers in Korea dropped significantly last year compared to the previous year, recent data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) showed. The KDCA suggests this was a result of the decreased number of days where children attend school and reduced activities with peers amid the COVID-19 outbreak. [...] The figures represent the percentage of students who smoked at least one cigarette in the 30 days prior to the survey. The KDCA surveyed 54,948 students from 800 middle and high schools nationwide.
February 16, 2021 by koreaherald.com
BAT Korea to reach wider audience with modified risk tobacco products through digital marketing
BAT Korea reaffirmed its plan to reach a wider audience with potentially-reduced risk products on Tuesday as it cited the success of recent digital marketing efforts to promote e-cigarettes.
“Sales promotions for Glo Pro last month took place both online and in-store and it was especially well received online and we managed to sell out the stock we prepared quicker than expected,” said Yu Jung-min, head of offline activation at BAT Korea during an online press event.