South Korea Sees Shift From Cigarettes to Vapes as Youth and Female Smoking Rates Rise
South Korea is experiencing a gradual shift in smoking patterns as more consumers move from traditional cigarettes to vapes and heated tobacco products.
While conventional cigarette sales have declined in recent years, alternative nicotine products have expanded rapidly. The trend has raised concerns among public health experts that newer tobacco products may lower barriers to smoking, particularly among young people and women.
Researchers and policymakers are calling for stronger regulation to address emerging challenges, including flavored products, synthetic nicotine, and nicotine analogues.
Key Highlights
- Traditional cigarette sales in South Korea have declined, while vape and heated tobacco product sales have increased.
- Heated tobacco product sales nearly doubled between 2018 and 2023.
- Flavored tobacco products have become increasingly popular among younger consumers and women.
- Smoking rates among some female and younger groups have increased.
- Synthetic nicotine and nicotine analogues create new regulatory challenges.
- Authorities are considering stronger oversight of emerging nicotine products.
South Korean Smokers Shift Toward Vapes and Heated Tobacco Products
According to a report by South Korean media outlet Yonhap News, smoking behavior in South Korea has changed significantly in recent years as consumers increasingly adopt alternative nicotine products.
A study commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and conducted by the Korea Smoke-Free Promotion Association examined tobacco market trends and smoking behavior.
The research found that cigarette sales decreased from approximately 6.4 billion packs in 2018 to around 6.2 billion packs in 2023, representing a decline of about 3.2%.
At the same time, sales of heated tobacco products increased substantially, rising from 65.41 million units in 2018 to 122.2 million units in 2023, an increase of nearly 1.9 times.
The data suggests that while traditional cigarette consumption is declining, alternative nicotine products are gaining market share.
Flavored Tobacco Products Gain Popularity Among Young Consumers
One major trend identified in the study is the rapid growth of flavored tobacco products.
In 2013, flavored tobacco products accounted for only 9.8% of total tobacco sales. By 2023, this figure had increased dramatically to 46.7%.
Researchers noted that flavor technologies and reduced tobacco odor may make these products more attractive to younger consumers and women.
Health experts warn that products with appealing flavors may reduce the perceived risks of tobacco use and encourage experimentation among groups that previously had lower smoking rates.
Female and Younger Consumers Become Focus of Tobacco Concerns
Although South Korea’s overall adult smoking rate has declined over the past decade, certain demographic groups showed increases in 2023.
According to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, smoking rates increased among some groups, including:
- Men around age 50, whose smoking rate rose from 32.5% in 2022 to 42.1% in 2023;
- Women in their 20s, whose smoking rate increased from 5.8% to 12.1% during the same period.
Researchers suggested that the growing popularity of alternative nicotine products, along with reduced negative perceptions of smoking, may have contributed to these changes.
Different Age Groups Prefer Different Nicotine Products
The study also identified differences in product preferences among age groups.
Researchers found that:
- Consumers in their 20s were more likely to use vapes;
- Consumers in their 30s showed greater preference for heated tobacco products;
- Older consumers, particularly those over 60, remained more likely to use traditional cigarettes.
The findings indicate that the nicotine market is becoming increasingly segmented, with different products attracting different consumer groups.
Synthetic Nicotine Creates New Regulatory Challenges
Researchers highlighted synthetic nicotine and nicotine analogues as emerging issues for tobacco regulation.
Unlike traditional nicotine extracted from tobacco leaves, synthetic nicotine and nicotine analogues may fall outside existing regulatory frameworks in some jurisdictions.
Experts warned that these substances could create challenges related to:
- Product oversight;
- Taxation;
- Market access control;
- Youth protection.
Some researchers also suggested that certain nicotine analogues may have stronger addictive potential than conventional nicotine, making early regulatory action necessary.
South Korea Faces New Challenges in Tobacco Control
The growth of vapes, heated tobacco products, and alternative nicotine products has complicated South Korea’s tobacco control efforts.
While traditional cigarette consumption continues to decline, the expansion of new nicotine products has created new questions about:
- How to regulate emerging products;
- How to prevent youth access;
- How to address flavored products;
- How to manage synthetic nicotine and nicotine analogues.
For policymakers, the challenge is balancing innovation in nicotine products with effective public health protections as smoking patterns continue to evolve.
