The percentage of smokers consuming more than two alcoholic beverages in a week stood at 27.3, compared to 14.4 percent for non-smokers. (image: Kevin Galens/flickr)
SEOUL, April 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Smokers are more stressed and drink more than non-smokers, according to a report from the Ministry of Health & Welfare (MOHW) published on April 7 that examined the habits of 220,000 Koreans.
While 70.3 percent of smokers had more than one alcoholic beverage per month, the same was true for only 57 percent of non-smokers. The percentage of smokers consuming more than two alcoholic beverages in a week stood at 27.3, compared to 14.4 percent for non-smokers.
Smokers were also more affected by stress, with 37 percent indicating that they were aware of stress in their lives, while only 25.6 percent of non-smokers responded similarly.
Smokers also exercised less than non-smokers, with 40.8 percent indicating that they walked for more than 30 minutes on more than five days a week, compared to 43 percent for non-smokers. With regards to more intense physical activity, 20.6 percent of smokers and 21.8 percent of non-smokers practiced a taxing exercise for more than 30 minutes on more than five days a week.
The MOHW said that one out of three chronic disease patients in 2014 was a smoker, while 34 percent of Korean males diagnosed with high blood pressure and 39 percent of Korean males diagnosed with diabetes were smokers.
By M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
