South Korea is grappling with a surge in obesity and e-cigarette use. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea is grappling with a surge in obesity and e-cigarette use, even as traditional smoking declines and physical activity rates improve, according to a nationwide health survey released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
The survey, conducted among 230,000 adults across 258 health centers, revealed shifting health trends that reflect the lingering effects of the pandemic and changing lifestyle habits.
Smoking Behaviors Shift as E-Cigarette Use Grows
The overall use of tobacco products, including traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes, rose to 22.6% in 2024, up slightly from the previous year.
While traditional cigarette smoking continued its steady decline, dropping to 18.9%, e-cigarette usage surged to 8.7%, highlighting a growing preference for alternative nicotine products.
“E-cigarettes are clearly reshaping smoking habits in South Korea,” said Ji Young-mi, KDCA commissioner. “It’s a shift we’re closely monitoring.”
Obesity Continues to Climb
Obesity rates reached 34.4%, a 0.7 percentage point increase from last year, despite improvements in physical activity. Nearly half of adults (49.7%) reported regular walking, and moderate to vigorous physical activity participation rose to 26.6%.
Yet, these gains have not been sufficient to offset rising obesity, which experts attribute to lifestyle changes and dietary habits.
Drinking Patterns Rebound
With pandemic restrictions easing, alcohol consumption has returned to pre-COVID levels. Monthly drinking rates increased to 58.3%, though high-risk drinking, involving excessive consumption multiple times per week, declined slightly to 12.6%.
Regional Disparities Emerge
Health outcomes varied widely across regions. Sejong reported the nation’s lowest smoking (15.9%) and obesity (29.1%) rates, while Gangwon and Jeju had the highest figures. Diabetes treatment rates also revealed significant regional disparities, with treatment coverage ranging from 81.4% in Daejeon to 97.2% in Jeonnam.
A Call for Targeted Policies
The KDCA emphasized the need for municipalities to address these challenges with data-driven health initiatives. “Physical activity is up, and mental health indicators are improving, but rising obesity and the increasing use of e-cigarettes present significant public health challenges,” Ji said.
The full survey results will be released in February 2025 to inform policy development and research. As South Korea adapts to these shifting health trends, public health officials are calling for targeted measures to address the underlying causes of these disparities.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
