On December 8, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released the results of the 2025 Community Health Survey, covering more than 230,000 adult respondents. The findings revealed shifting trends in tobacco use and overall public health.
Cigarette Smoking Declines as Vape Use Continues to Rise
The smoking rate of traditional cigarettes fell to 17.9%, down 1 percentage point year on year, while the usage rate of electronic cigarettes increased to 9.3%, up 0.6 percentage points.
Overall Tobacco Use Falls, but Remains Above Pre-2019 Levels
When cigarettes and vapes are combined, the overall tobacco product usage rate was 22.1%, down 0.5 percentage points from last year, but still 0.5 percentage points higher than in 2019.
Sharp Growth in Vape Use Signals Shift in Smoking Behavior
KDCA analysis showed that while traditional cigarette use declined by 12% compared to 2019, the number of vape users increased by approximately 82%, indicating a clear shift from cigarettes to electronic alternatives.
Regional Differences in Tobacco Usage
By region, Chungbuk Province recorded the highest tobacco usage rate at 24.7%, while Sejong City had the lowest rate at 17.3%.
High-Risk Alcohol Consumption Shows Slight Decline
The survey found that 12% of adults reported high-risk alcohol consumption, showing a slight decline after a pandemic-era rebound, with higher rates in Gangwon, Chungbuk and Ulsan, and lower rates in Sejong, Daejeon and Seoul.
Depression Rates Fall, but Regional Gaps Remain
The rate of adults experiencing depression decreased to 5.9%, down 0.3 percentage points from last year. Seoul and Chungnam reported the highest rates, while Gwangju recorded the lowest.
Obesity Rate Continues to Rise Nationwide
The national obesity rate increased to 35.4%, up 1 percentage point year on year. Over the past decade, obesity has risen by 27%, while efforts to manage weight increased by only 16%.
