Adult Smoking Declines as Vaping Rises; Obesity Continues Upward Trend, Health Survey Shows

Cigarette smoking among South Korean adults fell slightly over the past year, while e-cigarette use rose, showing changes in tobacco consumption. According to the 2025 Community Health Survey by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), traditional cigarette smoking dropped to 17.9 percent, and e-cigarette use increased to 9.3 percent. Combined tobacco use declined slightly to 22.1 percent.

Tobacco use varied by region, with Chungcheongbuk-do reporting the highest rate at 24.7 percent and Sejong the lowest at 17.3 percent. Health officials emphasized the need for targeted education on e-cigarettes, especially for younger adults.

Alcohol consumption showed small improvements. Monthly drinking fell to 57.1 percent, and high-risk drinking dropped to 12 percent, though both remain higher than during COVID-19 lockdowns. Gangwon had the highest high-risk drinking rate at 15.7 percent, while Sejong had the lowest at 7 percent.

Obesity continues to rise, reaching 35.4 percent, the highest recorded level. Although 68.5 percent of adults tried to manage their weight, obesity rates increased, with Ulsan and Jeonnam recording the highest rates and Sejong and Daejeon the lowest. Physical activity declined slightly, while diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes increased but treatment rates stayed above 93 percent.

Other health indicators showed mixed trends. Awareness of heart attack and stroke symptoms improved, mental health trends were varied, and safety habits like breakfast participation, rear seatbelt use, and handwashing were noted. The KDCA plans to use the findings to guide local health policies and make data publicly available online.

Source : http://koreabizwire.com/adult-smoking-declines-as-vaping-rises-obesity-continues-upward-trend-health-survey-shows/339670

Comprehension

What trends were observed in traditional cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use in South Korea?
Which region had the highest tobacco usage, and which had the lowest?
How did alcohol consumption change compared to the previous year?
What is the obesity rate in South Korea, and which regions had the highest rates?
How will the KDCA use the results of the survey?

Discussion

Why might e-cigarette use be rising even as traditional smoking declines?
How can public health campaigns better target young adults to reduce tobacco and alcohol use?
Why do you think obesity continues to rise despite more adults trying to manage their weight?
How important is public awareness of heart attack and stroke symptoms for community health?
Which health habits or indicators do you think should be prioritized in local health policies?

Vocabulary

Tobacco – products made from the leaves of the tobacco plant, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
Prevalence – the commonness or frequency of something in a population.
Obesity – having an unhealthy amount of body fat.
Hypertension – high blood pressure, a common health condition.
Tailored – designed or adjusted for a specific purpose or group.