Return of Secondhand Smoke Raises Public Health Red Flags (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, May 29 (Korea Bizwire) — After three years of steady decline, exposure to secondhand smoke in South Korea is once again on the rise — particularly in indoor workplaces and public spaces — prompting renewed calls for stronger tobacco control measures.
According to new data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), 8.0% of adult non-smokers — including former smokers — reported exposure to secondhand smoke in indoor workplace settings in 2023. That figure marks a reversal of a downward trend since 2019, when exposure rates fell from 14.1% to 6.3% by 2022.
Indoor public spaces showed a similar trend. After declining from 18.3% in 2019 to 7.4% in 2022, secondhand smoke exposure rose to 8.6% last year. Even in private homes, where overall exposure remains relatively low, rates inched up from 2.6% in 2022 to 3.0% in 2023.
The resurgence comes despite notable progress over the past decade. In 2014, more than half of all non-smokers reported exposure in public spaces, a figure that has since halved. Yet health authorities warn that the dangers of passive smoking — including over 69 known carcinogens such as arsenic and benzene — remain severe.
Secondhand smoke, which includes both exhaled mainstream smoke and sidestream smoke emitted from burning tobacco, has been classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It is also linked to early death in non-smokers and can harm the cardiovascular and respiratory systems even with short-term exposure.
Electronic cigarettes, often seen as a less harmful alternative, also pose significant health risks. Even nicotine-free e-cigarettes have been found to emit toxic substances such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein.
A 2022 government-commissioned study by the University of Ulsan revealed that roughly 80% of e-cigarette users admitted to smoking in designated non-smoking zones.
In response to the rising health threat, the South Korean government plans to intensify anti-smoking efforts around World No Tobacco Day on May 31. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong stated in a commemorative message that the ministry will support legislative amendments to regulate all forms of tobacco, including novel products, and enforce the upcoming Tobacco Harm Management Act to better inform the public of the dangers.
“The government is committed to stronger tobacco regulation and public health protection,” Cho said. “We will fully support legal reforms and public awareness efforts to reduce exposure to harmful substances in all tobacco products.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
