Background
The use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) among Korean adults has been steadily increasing since they were first introduced in 2017. It is known that smoking combustible cigarettes (CCs) adversely affects the serum lipid profile and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the health impacts of HTPs remain under- researched. This study, therefore, aims to explore the effects of HTP use on serum lipid levels.
Methods
This study involved 10,309 participants, selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1 and VIII conducted between 2018 and 2021. Participants were categorized based on their smoking status: “HTPs ever user” included dual, triple, and past HTP users; “current HTPs only user” for those exclusively using HTPs; “current CCs only user” for those exclusively smoking CCs; and “never smoker.” Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of smoking type on serum lipid concentrations.
Results
The analysis revealed that the “HTPs ever user” group had a higher odds ratio (OR) for elevated total cholesterol compared to the “never smoker” group (OR, 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.92). The likelihood of having high low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was greatest in the “current HTPs only user” group when compared to “never smokers” (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.01–2.89).
Conclusion
The findings indicate that exclusive use of HTPs is linked to an increased level of serum LDL-cholesterol. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to fully determine the health risks associated with HTPs.

Citations

• The chemical profile and toxicological impact of heated tobacco products
  M. Davigo, F. J. van Schooten, A. Opperhuizen, A. H. V. Remels, R. Talhout
  Inhalation Toxicology.2026; : 1.     CrossRef
• Unveiling the risks of noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products
  Su-Min Jeong
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2025; 46(5): 297.     CrossRef

Background
The use of e-cigarettes is increasing globally, particularly among young adults. Although several use them to quit smoking, their effects are controversial. The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to assess nicotine dependence in the smoking cessation process. This study examined changes in FTND scores among young adults using different types of cigarettes over a 1-year period.
Methods
Prospective cohort data were collected from cigarette users at higher education institutions in the lower northern region of Thailand to analyze changes in FTND scores over a 1-year period. E-cigarette users and combined users were compared with conventional cigarette users. A marginal structural model (MSM) with an inverse probability of weighting (IPW) was used to adjust for time-dependent and time-independent confounders.
Results
Of the 133 participants, 58 were e-cigarette users (43.6%), 33 were combined cigarette users (24.8%), and 42 were conventional cigarette users (31.6%). The results revealed that when both time-dependent and time-independent confounders were adjusted using MSM with IPW, e-cigarette users had a 0.20 decrease in the mean FTND score, and combined users had a 0.47 decrease in the mean FTND score compared to conventional cigarette users. However, the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
The use of e-cigarettes or combined cigarettes did not significantly affect nicotine dependence levels in young adults over a 1-year period. Consequently, e-cigarettes should not be recommended to reduce nicotine dependence among young adult cigarette users. Further studies are required to determine whether e-cigarettes affect smoking cessation rates.

Citations

• A year of significant progress for the Korean Journal of Family Medicine
  Seung-Won Oh
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2026; 47(1): 1.     CrossRef

Background
Although the association between smoking and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been established, the effects of tobacco products, including combustible cigarettes (CCs) and non-combustible nicotine or tobacco products (NNTPs), on HRQoL remain unclear. This study examined the association between tobacco use and HRQoL in Korean men.
Methods
Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2013 and 2020 were analyzed. A total of 16,429 male participants aged ≥19 years completed the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). Impaired HRQoL was defined as scoring in the lowest 20% of the EQ-5D index and having some or extreme problems in the following five domains of the EQ-5D: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/ discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the risk of impaired HRQoL in current tobacco users.
Results
Current tobacco users exhibited a significantly higher risk of impaired HRQoL compared with never users (odds ratio [OR], 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.92). Compared to never users, current tobacco users reported more problems with mobility and pain/discomfort (all P<0.05). Moreover, compared with former tobacco users, current tobacco users had a higher risk of impaired HRQoL (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.18–2.17). Compared to former tobacco users, current tobacco users reported more problems with mobility and pain/discomfort (all P<0.05).
Conclusion
Use of CCs and NNTPs is associated with impaired HRQoL in Korean men. Therefore, further interventions for lifestyle modification and smoking cessation treatments are required to reduce the risk of impaired HRQoL among current tobacco users.

Citations

• A year of significant progress for the Korean Journal of Family Medicine
  Seung-Won Oh
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2026; 47(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Unveiling the risks of noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products
  Su-Min Jeong
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2025; 46(5): 297.     CrossRef

Background
Noncombustible nicotine or tobacco product (NNTP) use, and cigarette smoking are associated with a high likelihood of unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) among adolescents. However, no study has addressed the differences in UWCBs among non-users, single users of combustible cigarettes (CCs) or NNTPs and dual users. This study compared the frequencies of weight control behaviors according to the status of CC and NNTP use among Korean adolescents.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of 25,094 adolescents who had attempted to reduce or maintain their body weight during the past 30 days, using data from the 15th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2019. Data on the status of CC and NNTP use, weight status, and weight control behaviors were obtained using self-report questionnaires. Subjects were categorized into four groups: non-users, cigarette-only users, NNTP-only users, and dual users.
Results
Among boys and girls, current smokers and NNTP users were 8.9%±0.3% and 5.5%±0.3%, and 4.2%±0.2% and 1.7%±0.1%, respectively. Among boys, NNTP-only users were more likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors than non-users. Among girls, users of either CCs or NNTPs were more likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors and less extreme weight control behaviors than non-users.
Conclusion
This study shows that users of either CCs or NNTPs are more likely to engage in UWCBs, and NNTP-only users are the most likely to do so.

Citations

• Reflecting on progress and challenges: the Korean Journal of Family Medicine in 2024
  Seung-Won Oh
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2025; 46(2): 55.     CrossRef
• Longitudinal Associations between Adolescent Electronic Cigarette Use and Eating Behaviors
  Saira Sarwar, W. Alex Mason, Jennifer Mize Nelson, Kimberly Andrews Espy, Timothy D. Nelson
  Substance Use & Misuse.2025; 60(14): 2144.     CrossRef
• The Interconnected Nature of Smoking, Depression, and Obesity in Behavioral Medicine
  Joung Sik Son
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2024; 45(4): 181.     CrossRef

Background
Smoking can reduce taste sensitivity, the ability to sense various tastes, and diet quality and can increase the incidence of diseases such as hypertension. This study aimed to analyze the association between the smoking amount, subjective salt preference, and salt-related eating behaviors.
Methods
Data of more than 16 million individuals from the Korean Community Health Survey were used. Forest plots were drawn to compare the cumulative odds ratios of salt taste preference and salt-related eating behaviors, adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, education level, household income, marital status, and drinking status at various smoking levels.
Results
Subjective salt preference and salt-related eating behaviors increased with smoking amount; the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for smoking >20 cigarettes were higher than those for smoking <20 cigarettes. For daily smokers, the AOR was 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–1.31) for 1–5 cigarettes per day and 1.68 (95% CI, 1.65–1.71) for 16–20 cigarettes per day (P<0.001). Smokers were more likely to have more frequent salt-related eating behaviors than nonsmokers.
Conclusion
The subjective salt preference of smokers was higher than that of nonsmokers. Additionally, smokers used salt or soy sauce and dipped fried food in soy sauce more frequently than nonsmokers, which was also related to smoking amount.

Citations

• Effects of opioid blockade on taste perception across smoking status: an analysis of detection thresholds, intensity, and pleasantness
  Justin J. Anker, Mustafa al’Absi
  Journal of Neural Transmission.2025; 132(9): 1411.     CrossRef
• Cross sectional study on the prevalence and associated factors of iodine status in the population of Lausanne
  Pauline Ducraux, Aurélien Thomas, Maïwenn Perrais, Julien Vaucher, Pedro Marques-Vidal
  Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Trend analysis and projection of gastric cancer burden linked to high sodium intake in China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Mongolia (1990–2021): A comprehensive assessment based on the 2021 global burden of disease study
  Xiaohuang Yang, Shaoxing Chen, Canmei Zhong, Yadong Lai, Fenglin Chen, Ricardas Radisauskas
  PLOS One.2025; 20(12): e0338030.     CrossRef

Background
Since the introduction of heated tobacco products (HTPs) in Korea in 2017, their annual sales have increased. Several studies have investigated the perceptions of HTPs and smoking cessation behaviors. For the first time, In 2019, questions focused on HTP use were introduced in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES). This study aimed to compare smoking cessation behaviors between HTP users and conventional cigarette smokers using KNHANES data.
Methods
Data of 947 current adult smokers from the 8th KNHNES (2019) were analyzed. Current smokers were divided into conventional cigarette (CC)–only, HTP-only, and dual-use groups. The general characteristics of the three groups were investigated. Differences in current intention to quit smoking and past attempts to quit smoking among the three groups were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis by IBM SPSS ver. 25.0.
Results
HTP-only users demonstrated fewer future smoking cessation plans (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.398; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.195–0.813; P=0.012) and fewer smoking cessation attempts in the past year (AOR, 0.533; 95% CI, 0.298–0.954; P=0.034) than CC-only smokers. However, there was no significant difference between dual-use (CC+HTP) and CC-only smokers.
Conclusion
While dual-use and CC-only smokers showed similar smoking cessation behaviors, HTP-only users had fewer previous attempts to quit smoking and were less likely to be currently ready to quit smoking. These findings can be explained by a decrease in the need to quit smoking due to the convenience of HTP and the perception that HTPs are less harmful than CC.

Citations

• Association between single, dual, poly use of tobacco products and smoking cessation in Korean adult smokers
  Heajung Lee, Jaeyong Shin, Jae Woo Choi
  Tobacco Prevention & Cessation.2026; 12(January): 1.     CrossRef
• Association between type of smoking and smoking cessation plans in Korean adults: A nationwide cross-sectional study
  Kitae Park, Dan Bi Kim, Jae Yong Shin, Chung-Mo Nam, Eun-Cheol Park
  Tobacco Induced Diseases.2025; 23(February): 1.     CrossRef
• Neue Konsumformen von Nikotin
  Anna Rahofer, Katharina Sternberg, Tobias Rüther, Andrea Rabenstein
  PSYCH up2date.2025; 19(03): 217.     CrossRef
• The Health Effects of Heated Tobacco Product Use—A Narrative Review
  Małgorzata Znyk, Dorota Kaleta
  Healthcare.2025; 13(16): 2042.     CrossRef
• Quit Attempts and Plans among Users of Conventional Cigarette, e-cigarette, and Heated Tobacco Product
  Young Seok Lee, Jung Ah Lee, Hong Jun Cho
  Journal of the Korean Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.2025; 16(4): 117.     CrossRef
• Pharmacotherapy guidelines for smoking cessation in primary healthcare clinics
  Cheol Min Lee, Yu Jin Paek, Yoo Bin Seo, Eon Sook Lee
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2024; 67(4): 230.     CrossRef
• Three in four smokers want to quit tobacco (reference to reassessing the smoking target in Japan): findings from the JASTIS2021 study
  Masayuki Sugihara, Takahiro Tabuchi
  Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine.2024; 29: 28.     CrossRef
• A Scoping Review of Behavioural Studies on Heated Tobacco Products
  Ian M Fearon, Sarah F Cordery, Martin Fitzpatrick, Sarah Weaver, Matthew Stevenson, Erika Grandolfo, Layla Malt, Keith Thompson, Thomas Nahde
  Cureus.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Is Using Heated Tobacco Products Helpful in Smoking Cessation?
  Young Gyu Cho
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2023; 44(3): 127.     CrossRef

Background
Tobacco smoking is associated with several diseases and deaths in older Koreans. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with smoking cessation in older Koreans.
Methods
We selected 579 subjects who started smoking before the age of 65 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016–2018. We excluded the subjects who quit smoking before the age of 65 years, and then categorized the rest of subjects into those who stopped smoking after the age of 65 years and those who are constant smokers. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the factors related to smoking cessation among older Koreans.
Results
Among the participants, 66.1% were persistent smokers. After multivariable analysis, the factors significantly associated with smoking cessation were as follows: being in the age group of 75–79 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.12–7.83), being in the age group of 70–74 years (aOR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.72–5.61), a family history of ischemic heart disease (aOR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.09–10.35), and having had no cancer screening (aOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18–0.70).
Conclusion
Further efforts to identify the factors related to smoking cessation will help formulate a smoking cessation policy.

Citations

• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef

Background
Many people use both combustible cigarette (CC) and electronic cigarette (EC). We compared nicotine dependence among CC, EC, and dual users using questionnaires and urinary cotinine levels.
Methods
Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014–2017) databases were analyzed; 3,917 CC, EC, and dual users were administered the urinary cotinine test, and 1,045 current CC and dual users completed the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) questionnaires. Weighted geometric means of urine cotinine levels were compared between exclusive CC, exclusive EC, and dual users. The distribution rate, based on time to first cigarette (TTFC), cigarettes per day (CPD), and the HSI was analyzed in two weighted groups, exclusive CC and dual users.
Results
Among those who currently use any type of cigarette, 89.4%, 1.4%, and 9.2% were exclusive CC, exclusive EC, and dual users, respectively. Weighted geometric means of urine cotinine were highest in dual users (1,356.4 ng/mL), followed by exclusive CC (1,270.3 ng/mL), and exclusive EC (867.7 ng/mL) with significant differences between all three groups (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in CPD between exclusive CC and dual users (P=0.626). The proportion of TTFC ≤5 minutes was 21.5% and 29.5% in the two groups, respectively (P=0.010); however, HSI differences in the two groups was marginal (P=0.557).
Conclusion
In this study, the urinary cotinine value could distinguish the three groups, CC, EC, and dual users, but the questionnaire using HSI could not distinguish the three groups.

Citations

• Evaluation of a Community-based Quality Improvement Smoking Cessation Program Using the Ottawa Model During COVID-19
  Salma Mahmoodianfard, Ayah Rashwan, Javad Heshmati, Terefe Gelibo, Mustafa Coja, David Sabapathy, Shamara Baidoobonso, Karen Phillips, Laura MacDonald, Laura Lee Noonan, Kerri-Anne Mullen, Hassan Mir
  CJC Open.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The effect of heated-cigarette smoking on voice in comparison to combustion-cigarette smoking: self-perceived evaluation
  Abdul-Latif Hamdan, Christophe Abi Zeid Daou, Yara Yammine, Christopher Jabbour, Ibana Carapiperis, Vanessa Helou, Justin Ghadieh, Jerome R Lechien
  The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.2025; 139(2): 129.     CrossRef
• Protocol for the development of a vaping cessation intervention for young adult veterans
  Neal Doran, Samantha Hurst, Jie Liu, Omar El-Shahawy, Mark Myers, Paul Krebs
  Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications.2024; 39: 101309.     CrossRef
• Smoking Cessation Treatment in Primary Care
  Hye-ji An, Cheol-Min Lee, Yoo-Bin Seo, Eon-Sook Lee, Yu-Jin Paek
  Korean Journal of Family Practice.2024; 14(4): 184.     CrossRef
• Optimum Urine Cotinine and NNAL Levels to Distinguish Smokers from Non-Smokers by the Changes in Tobacco Control Policy in Korea from 2008 to 2018
  Eun Young Park, Min Kyung Lim, Eunjung Park, Yoonjung Kim, Dohoon Lee, Kyungwon Oh
  Nicotine & Tobacco Research.2022; 24(11): 1821.     CrossRef
• Current status of tobacco use, cessation and control policy in Korea
  Cheol Min Lee
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 789.     CrossRef
• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef
• Recent Trends of Research and Guidelines on Pharmacotherapy for Smoking Cessation
  Choon-Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.2022; 13(4): 107.     CrossRef
• Nicotine Dependence of Electronic Cigarette, Dual Combustible and Electronic Cigarette Users
  Jungun Lee
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2021; 42(3): 189.     CrossRef
• Recent Updates of Pharmacotherapy for Smoking Cessation
  Ju Sam Hwang, Cheol Min Lee
  Korean Journal of Family Practice.2021; 11(6): 403.     CrossRef

Although the prevalence of cigarette smoking has declined in Western countries over the past few decades, a comparable decline among males has not been observed in Asian countries, especially in South Korea, where approximately 40%–50% of men and 4%–8% of women have been identified as smokers, and there is a pressing need to understand the background of cigarette smoking in these populations. The present study is a narrative review of the research literature on cigarette smoking in South Korea. First, we describe the social, economic, and cultural factors that impact cigarette smoking in South Korea. The paper also reviews the available peer-reviewed literature comprising observational studies and interventional studies, including randomized controlled trials. The extant literature on smoking in Korean Americans is also reviewed. Cigarette smoking in South Korea has been relatively understudied, and this review identifies priority areas for future research, including the use of mobile interventions.

Citations

• Association of food insecurity with the use of tobacco products and urine cotinine-measured smoking intensity: evidence from a population-based study in South Korea, 2019–2021
  Seong-Uk Baek, Yu-Min Lee, Jong-Uk Won, Jin-Ha Yoon
  Tobacco Control.2026; 35(1): 13.     CrossRef
• The effect of cigarette prices on insurance premiums: Evidence from cigarette tax increase in South Korea
  Youngju Lee, Minsung Park
  Economic Analysis and Policy.2026; 89: 1064.     CrossRef
• Influence of concurrent use of conventional and E-cigarettes on rheumatoid arthritis risk among Korean adults: Findings from KNHANES 2015–2021
  Seong Yoon Lee, Hwamin Lee
  Preventive Medicine Reports.2026; 62: 103362.     CrossRef
• Association between intimate partner violence victimization and smoking initiation and cessation among married adults in Korea
  Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon
  Addictive Behaviors.2026; 176: 108619.     CrossRef
• Cardiovascular Risk Among Stroke Survivors With Combustible and Electronic Cigarettes: A Nationwide Study in Korean Men
  Joonsang Yoo, Jimin Jeon, Minyoul Baik, Yun Young Choi, Jinkwon Kim
  Journal of the American Heart Association.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Investigating Social Proliferation in Korean College Students’ Smoking Perceptions and Behaviors
  YoungJu Shin, Yu Lu, Rebecca Leach
  Western Journal of Communication.2025; 89(1): 46.     CrossRef
• Substances use among a sample health care workers in Iran: prevalence, pattern of use and gender differences
  Fahimeh Mohseni, Fariba Zare, Behzad Garmabi, Alireza Azizi, Seyed Mohammad Mirrezaie
  Journal of Substance Use.2025; 30(4): 533.     CrossRef
• Association of low employment quality with cigarette smoking, smoking initiation, and smoking cessation: A 16-year longitudinal study in South Korea
  Seong-Uk Baek, Yu-Min Lee, Jong-Uk Won, Jin-Ha Yoon
  Social Science & Medicine.2025; 366: 117629.     CrossRef
• Blood eosinophil count and treatment patterns of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in South Korea using real-world data
  Chin Kook Rhee, Yu-Fan Ho, Sumitra Shantakumar, Tim Holbrook, Yein Nam, Kwang‑Ha Yoo
  The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine.2025; 40(1): 78.     CrossRef
• Radiological Changes in Chest Computed Tomography Findings of School Cooks: A Comparative Study With Age-matched Controls
  Jung Hee Hong, Jin Young Kim, Kiook Baek
  Safety and Health at Work.2025; 16(2): 228.     CrossRef
• Association Between Electronic Cigarette Use and Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Nationwide Population-Based Study
  Wonseok Jeong, Min Ji Song, Ji Hye Shin, Ji Hyun Kim
  Journal of Clinical Medicine.2025; 14(11): 3616.     CrossRef
• Smoking in North Korea: a qualitative study
  Jung Jae Lee, Seok-Hyang Kim, Jung-Hee Jeon, Miju Kim
  Tobacco Control.2025; : tc-2024-059113.     CrossRef
• Sex Differences in the Risk of Bladder Cancer among Kidney Transplant Recipients and Patients with Kidney Failure Receiving Hemodialysis: A Nationwide Cohort Study
  Hoon Yu, Sung Jin Kim, Yoonjong Bae, Mina Kim, Chan-Young Jung
  American Journal of Nephrology.2025; 56(3): 258.     CrossRef
• Low household income increases the risk of tuberculosis recurrence: a retrospective nationwide cohort study in South Korea
  C. Chung, D. Jeong, H. Sohn, H. Choi, Y.A. Kang
  Public Health.2024; 226: 228.     CrossRef
• Parent–Offspring Associations of Ideal Cardiovascular Health Metrics: Findings From the 2014 to 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
  Manh Thang Hoang, Sun Jae Jung, Hokyou Lee, Hyeon Chang Kim
  Journal of the American Heart Association.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Forecasting the future prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in Korea through 2048: an epidemiologic study employing autoregressive integrated moving average models
  Ji Eun Kim, Shin Ju Oh, Chang Kyun Lee
  Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.2024; 39(5): 836.     CrossRef
• Cancer Risk Following Smoking Cessation in Korea
  Eunjung Park, Hee-Yeon Kang, Min Kyung Lim, Byungmi Kim, Jin-Kyoung Oh
  JAMA Network Open.2024; 7(2): e2354958.     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of digital tools for smoking cessation in Asian countries: a systematic review
  Khang Wen Goh, Long Chiau Ming, Yaser Mohammed Al-Worafi, Ching Siang Tan, Andi Hermansyah, Inayat Ur Rehman, Zahid Ali
  Annals of Medicine.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Association Between Temporary Employment and Current Smoking and Change in Smoking Behaviors: A Prospective Cohort Study From South Korea (2009–2018)
  Seong-Uk Baek, Min-Seok Kim, Myeong-Hun Lim, Taeyeon Kim, Jin-Ha Yoon, Yu-Min Lee, Jong-Uk Won
  Journal of Epidemiology.2024; 34(10): 459.     CrossRef
• Combined effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on the risk of liver cancer according to metabolic syndrome: A nested case–control study in South Korea
  Thi Tra Bui, Eunjung Park, Hee‐Yeon Kang, Jin‐Kyoung Oh
  International Journal of Cancer.2024; 155(4): 654.     CrossRef
• Development of a Risk Score to Predict Short-term Smoking Relapse Following an Inpatient Smoking Cessation Intervention
  Hwang Sik Shin, Yoon Hyung Park, Sung Soo Lee, Yong Jin Cho, Jun Tack Kwon, Youngs Chang, Mee-Ri Lee, Young Hwangbo
  Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health.2024; 36(4): 329.     CrossRef
• Components of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test Associated with the Exacerbation of Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients
  Na Young Kim, Junhee Han, Yong Il Hwang, Yong Bum Park, Seoung Ju Park, Jimyung Park, Ki-Suck Jung, Kwang Ha Yoo, Jin Hwa Lee, Chang Youl Lee
  Respiration.2024; 103(6): 326.     CrossRef
• Impact of electronic cigarette use on the increased risk of diabetes: the Korean Community Health Survey
  Wonseok Jeong, Seungju Kim
  Epidemiology and Health.2024; 46: e2024029.     CrossRef
• Unveiling the Impact of Smokers’ Self-Construals on the Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Campaigns: A Comparative Analysis of E-Cigarettes and Combustible Cigarettes
  Dong Hoo Kim, Ji Mi Hong
  International Journal of Public Health.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Sex differences in age-varying trends of depressive symptoms, substance use, and their associations among South Korean adults: A Time-Varying Effect Modeling (TVEM) analysis of a nationwide sample
  Hanjoo Kim
  Journal of Affective Disorders.2024; 361: 596.     CrossRef
• Assessment of Epidemiological Data and Surveillance in Korea Substance Use Research: Insights and Future Directions
  Meekang Sung, Vaughan W. Rees, Hannah Lee, Mohammad S. Jalali
  Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2024; 57(4): 307.     CrossRef
• Relationship between smoking experience and risk of suicide mortality in South Korean adults: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study
  Hyo Jin Park, Byoungduck Han, Bongseong Kim, Kyungdo Han, Seohwan Kim, Hyunjoo Kim, Kyoungjoon Youn, Hyun Jin Park, Yong-kyun Roh, Youn Seon Choi, Ga Eun Nam, Seon Mee Kim
  Journal of Affective Disorders.2024; 367: 67.     CrossRef
• Resistance to anti-smoking messages related to the higher smoking stigma of Korean female smokers
  Seung-Hyuk Ha, Gi-Eun Lee, Jang-Sun Hwang, Jang-Han Lee
  Frontiers in Psychology.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Relationship between perception of body image on obesity and smoking status by age group in women: Findings of a seven-year Korean National Survey
  Hye Jung Hwang⁺, Youngmee Kim⁺, Won-Kyung Cho
  Tobacco Induced Diseases.2024; 22(October): 1.     CrossRef
• Tobacco Use in Korea: Current Epidemiology and Public Health Issues
  Jong Eun Park, Woo Min Jeong, Ye Jin Choi, So Young Kim, Kyoung Eun Yeob, Jong Hyock Park
  Journal of Korean Medical Science.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Age-period-cohort analysis of smoking prevalence trends among career military personnel in South Korea
  Sunju Jung, Heewon Kang, Sung-il Cho
  Tobacco Induced Diseases.2024; 22(December): 1.     CrossRef
• Motivational and behavioral mechanisms underlying generalized health risking behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in smokers
  Jiwon Park, Seungmin Lee, Xiaosi Gu, Vincenzo G. Fiore, Sunhae Sul, Dongil Chung
  Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Association Between Lifestyle Behavior and Health-Related Productivity Loss Among Korean Employees
  Young Joong Kang, Mo-Yeol Kang
  Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.2024; 66(12): 1009.     CrossRef
• Sex differences in the impact of diabetes mellitus on tuberculosis recurrence: a retrospective national cohort study
  Dararat Eksombatchai, Dawoon Jeong, Jeongha Mok, Doosoo Jeon, Hee-Yeon Kang, Hee Jin Kim, Hee-Sun Kim, Hongjo Choi, Young Ae Kang
  International Journal of Infectious Diseases.2023; 127: 1.     CrossRef
• Associations between precarious employment and smoking and regular exercise: Results from a Korean longitudinal panel study from 2005 to 2020
  Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
  Preventive Medicine.2023; 168: 107420.     CrossRef
• Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
  Nosheen Reza
  JACC: Heart Failure.2023; 11(3): 288.     CrossRef
• Factors associated with successful smoking cessation in men with or without cardiovascular disease or cancer: Nationwide Korean population analysis
  Youngmee Kim, Won-Kyung Cho
  Tobacco Induced Diseases.2023; 21(February): 1.     CrossRef
• Association between the dual use of electronic and conventional cigarettes and NAFLD status in Korean men
  Minjung Han, Seogsong Jeong, Jihun Song, Sun Jae Park, Cheol Min Lee, Kiheon Lee, Sang Min Park
  Tobacco Induced Diseases.2023; 21(February): 1.     CrossRef
• Mental Health and Smoking-Related Determinants of Alcohol Drinking Experience in Korean Adolescents
  Sook Kyoung Park, Hae-Kyung Jo, Eunju Song
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(6): 4724.     CrossRef
• Persistent impacts of smoking on resting-state EEG in male chronic smokers and past-smokers with 20 years of abstinence
  Hyeji Lee, Yoonji Jeon, Cheolin Yoo, HeeYoung Seon, Jiwon Park, Minho Hwang, Kwangyeol Baek, Dongil Chung
  Scientific Reports.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• SİGARA KULLANAN KADINLARIN GEBELİK PLANLARINDA SİGARA BIRAKMA ÖNGÖRÜLERİNİN BELİRLENMESİ
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• Current status of tobacco use, cessation and control policy in Korea
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Background
To aim of this study was to examine the association between perceived possibility of purchasing cigarettes and e-cigarette experience among adolescents who currently smoke cigarettes.
Methods
Data were derived from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey; a total of 29,169 current smokers participated. The dependent variable was e-cigarette experience in the previous month. Analyses included χ² test and survey logistic regression.
Results
A perceived easy possibility of purchasing cigarettes increased the odds of e-cigarette experience (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.33) compared to when it was perceived as impossible. An easy possibility of purchasing cigarettes increased the odds of e-cigarettes experience among males aged 12–15 or 17 years compared to when it was impossible to purchase cigarettes.
Conclusion
A perceived easy possibility of purchasing cigarettes was more likely to increase e-cigarette experience among adolescents. Laws restricting adolescents’ access to e-cigarettes must be strengthened.

Citations

• Vaping—An Emerging Threat to Youngsters of Pakistan
  Nazish Jaffar, Hafiza Tooba Siddiqui, Huda Amin, Md Ariful Haque
  Addiction Biology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Underage E-Cigarette Purchasing and Vaping Progression Among Young Adults
  Alyssa F. Harlow, Rob S. McConnell, Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis
  Journal of Adolescent Health.2023; 72(2): 260.     CrossRef
• The Impact of Heated Tobacco Products on Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Use, and Tobacco Sales in South Korea
  Cheol Min Lee
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2020; 41(5): 273.     CrossRef

Citations

• Time from waking to first cigarette, genetic susceptibility, and the risk of COPD: A Prospective cohort study from UK Biobank
  Liu Qiqi, Liu Haoxiang, Wu Chuansha, Sun Xiaojie, Xiong Longzhu, Kong Chunxue, Ma Jixuan, Zhou Ting
  Heart & Lung.2026; 76: 9.     CrossRef
• Alcohol and Nicotine Dependence and Time to Death in a General Adult Population: A Mortality Cohort Study
  Ulrich John, Hans-Jürgen Rumpf, Monika Hanke, Christian Meyer
  European Addiction Research.2023; 29(6): 394.     CrossRef
• Association of demographic variables and smoking habits with the severity of lung function in adult smokers
  Arash Toghyani, Somayeh Sadeghi
  Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.2022; 27(1): 18.     CrossRef
• Association between Time to First Cigarette and Health-Related Quality of Life of Middle-Aged Male Current Smokers: A Nationwide Representative Study in Korea
  Sung Eun Jo, Hye Rim Hwang, Yun Jin Kim, Sang Yeoup Lee, Jeong Gyu Lee, Yu Hyeon Yi, Young Hye Cho, Young Jin Tak, Seung Hun Lee, Eun Ju Park, Youngin Lee
  Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2021; 42(3): 225.     CrossRef
• Time to First Cigarette and Self-Reported Health Among US Adult Smokers
  Baksun Sung
  Tobacco Use Insights.2019;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effects of smoking on the lower respiratory tract microbiome in mice
  Rui Zhang, Ling Chen, Lei Cao, Kang-jie Li, Yao Huang, Xiao-qian Luan, Ge Li
  RESPIRATORY RESEARCH.2018;[Epub]     CrossRef

Background
As one of harm reduction strategies, tobacco manufacturers have begun to introduce lower-yield cigarettes. Lower-yield cigarettes, so called light cigarettes, have been perceived as less hazardous by some smokers. However, there have been very few studies concerning smoking lower yield products the lead to lower nicotine absorption. We evaluated the association between brand nicotine yield of cigarettes and actual nicotine intake by measuring urinary cotinine. Methods: Four hundred sixty four male smokers aged 18 or over who participated in health check-ups in a hospital from May to October 2007 fi lled out a self-administered smoking questionnaire. Urinary cotinine concentration was measured at the time of participation. The subjects were divided into three groups (ultralight [nicotine: 0.05 mg], light [0.1 mg], and regular [> 0.1 mg] group) according to the level of brand nicotine yield of cigarettes which they smoked. Results: The median urinary cotinine concentrations of ultralight (N = 62), light (N = 216), and regular (N = 186) groups were 735.5 ng/mL (interquartile range, 320 to 1,300 ng/mL), 956.0 ng/mL (429 to 1,491 ng/mL), and 1,067.5 ng/mL (615 to 1,613 ng/mL), respectively. There was a signifi cant difference in urinary cotinine between the regular and the other groups (P = 0.015). However, multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk of being in the highest quartile of urinary cotinine concentration (≥ 1,532 ng/mL) after adjusting for possible confounding variables showed that the odds ratios were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.52 to 1.37) in the light nicotine group and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.38 to1.72) in the ultralight nicotine group compared to the regular nicotine group. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the risk of elevated urinary cotinine concentrations in male adult smokers according to brand nicotine yield of cigarettes groups.

Background
Several studies have suggested that smoking may cause insulin resistance. However, the association between smoking and insulin resistance is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between smoking status and insulin resistance in Korean nondiabetic male population.Methods: A total of 5,969 men, aged > 20 years were recruited from those who visited the Health Promotion Center, Samsung Medical Center between 2005 and 2006. All subjects were divided into three categories: on-smokers (n = 2,594), ex-smokers (n = 1,580), and current-smokers (n = 1,795). Fasting values for glucose and insulin were used to estimate insulin resistance by HOMA (homeostasis model assessment). An independent association between smoking status and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) was assessed after adjustment for factors infl uencing insulin sensitivity such as age, exercise, alcohol, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and blood pressure.Results: HOMA-IR was signifi cantly higher in ex-smokers and current-smokers than in non-smokers (2.09 ± 0.94 vs. 2.04 ± 0.90, 1.96 ± 0.86, P < 0.01, respectively). After adjustment for factors potentially affecting insulin sensitivity (age, alcohol intake, exercise, BMI, body fat, abdominal circumference, and blood pressure), the association persisted for ex-smokers (P = 0.008). And HOMA-IR was signifi cantly higher in ≥ 40 pack-years smokers than in non-smokersConclusion: Based on HOMA-IR, previous-smoking and chronic smoking were significantly associated with insulin resistance in apparently healthy Korean nondiabetic men.

Citations

• Association between shift work and insulin resistance in women: Implications for metabolic health
  You-Jung Choi, Soo Hyeon Cho, Ja-Ho Leigh, Sung Hoon Jeong, Shaonong Dang
  PLOS One.2025; 20(11): e0337057.     CrossRef

Background
Increasing cigarette tax is known to be effective in stopping smoking and preventing initiation of smoking in adolescents. This study was designed to investigate the change of smoking attitudes in high school students after increase in cigarette tax in 2004. Methods: A self-questionnaire study was performed in high school students in Seoul and Chungnam province in June, 2004. The number of respondents was 1,424 consisting of 883 males and 541 females. The factors related to smoking cessation or reduction of smoking amount after increase in cigarette tax were analysed. Results: Among the total 1,424 subjects, 199 (14.0%) students smoked before the increase in cigarette tax. The smoking rate of males and females were 19.5% and 5.0%, respectively. Thirty nine percent of smokers quit smoking or reduced the smoking amount after increase in tax, among them 28.6% of the smokers (27.9% and 33.0% for males and females, respectively) reported quitting smoking. Female smokers and smokers in preparation stage of Prochaska model reported quitting smoking or reducing the smoking amount than male smokers and smokers in pre-consideration stage (OR 6.85:95% CI=1.78∼26.33, OR 6.62:95% CI= 2.20∼19.95, respectively). Conclusion: Increase of cigarette tax was effective in quitting the smoking and reducing the smoking amount in adolescents in Korea. (J Korean Acad Fam Med 2007;28: 256-262)

Background
: In an effort to use cigarette warning labels as a means for reducing smoking rates, this study examined current cigarette warning messages and newly designed pictorial warning labels.

Methods : From June 15, 2005, to June 22, 2005 we conducted an e-mail survey of 1,200 civilians to examine the effect of cigarette warning labels. For statistical analysis, we used chi-square test with SPSS 11.0 software.

Results : Among all the respondents, 78.7% indicated that current cigarette warning labels did not have any effect. However, most of the respondents indicated that pictorial warning labels are effective in raising public awareness (84.6%) or knowledge (81.5%) of the harmful effects of cigarettes. They also responded that pictorial warning labels would help them quit smoking (75.9%) or keep them from buying cigarettes (64.1%). Over 80% of the respondents and over 70% of the smokers responded that they would welcome the use of pictorial warning labels as an anti-smoking measure.

Conclusion : The results of this study showed that current cigarette warning labels are not effective in curbing smoking rates. Also, the results suggest that current cigarette warning labels need to be improved if they are to be used as an effective anti-smoking measure.

Background
: Among the various brands of herbal cigarettes currently available in Korea, Kumyeoncho is the most popular. However, there is no clinical evidence that these herbal cigarettes are effective in helping smokers quit smoking. This study was performed to determine the long term effectiveness of Kumyeoncho herbal cigarettes.

Methods : Two hundred smokers, all employees of the same company in Cheonan city, voluntarily participated in this study. They were divided into two random groups: 100 smokers used Kumyencho (herbal cigarettes), and the other 100 smokers used nicotine patches. Between July 2002 and February 2003, the smoking status of all participants was evaluated at one month, three months, and six months, after they stopped using regular cigarettes.

Results : The success rates at 1 month were 54.5% for the Kumyeoncho group and 50.7% for the nicotine patch group (P=0.643). The success rates at 3 month were 41.4% and 39.4%, respectively (P=0.875). And the success rates at 6 month were 38.8% and 35.2%, respectively (P=0.747). Statistical analysis showed that the success rate for the Kumyeoncho group was not less than that for the nicotine patch group in all periods. Thirty-seven cases of adverse effects were reported in the Kumyeoncho group: 25 (25.5%) of nausea, 6 (6.1%) of coughing, 5 (5.1%) of dizziness, and 1 (1.0%) of palpitation; thirty-nine cases of adverse effects were reported for nicotine patch users: 18 (25.4%) of itching, 15 (21.1%) of skin irritation and erythema, 2 (2.8%) of dizziness and headache each, and 1 (1.4%) of nausea and palpitation each.

Conclusion : With respect to the short and long term effects of herbal cigarettes, Kumyeoncho is considered similarly effective to nicotine patches.

Background
: The hemoglobin is a basic tool in diagnosing anemia. Not many studies compared hemoglobin between non-smokers and smokers in Korea and they did not differentiate hemoglobin between males and females. This study was conducted to show the difference of hemoglobin between non-smokers and smokers in male population and factors affecting hemoglobin.

Methods : We gathered 313 men who underwent periodic health examination from May to July 2001 in a general hospital. The relationship between cigarette smoking and hemoglobin concentration was examined by comparing the means of hemoglobin between two groups and through multiple regression analysis.

Results : The mean of hemoglobin was significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers, especially in smokers with more than 1 pack per day. The factors that influence the hemoglobin level were age, the amount per day, and the total amount they smoked in the past(pack-year). Daily cigarette smoking seemed to cause a general upward shift of hemoglobin distribution curve, while age and pack-year on the opposite.

Conclusion : The study suggests that hemoglobin cutoff values should be adjusted for smokers and one must consider the patient's age to compensate for masking effect of smoking and aging on detection of anemia.

Background
: It is well known that there is an adverse effect of long-term cigarette smoking on pulmonary function. But there are few reports about the effect of different habits of cigarette smoking on pulmonary function. Some smokers think that different habits of cigarette smoking are safer than others and this can be, an obstacle to the education of smoking cessation. Therefore, we have obtained applicable basic information for education of smoking cessation by anaysing the effects of different habits of cigarette smoking on pulmonary function.

Methods : We surveyed current smokers on different habits of smoking who had performed pulmonary function test at the pulmonary function laboratory of one tertiary hospital in Seoul and pulmonary function test was done as a part of comprehensive health check-up at health promotion center of one secondary hospital at Ulsan from May 1998 to July 1998.

Results : The factors were age, height, weight and amount of total smoking that had effect on pulmonary function. There were six different habits of smoking that we could analyse time of first smoking after sleep, average time of one cigarette smoked, current amount of smoking, length of one cigarette smoked, effort to quit smoking, smoking with drinking and all these six habits of smoking had no relationship with the results of the pulmonary function test.

Conclusion : The damage in pulmonary function was not protected by different habits of smoking that were previously known to be more safe or healthy. Therefore, we concluded that smoking cessation is the only way to prevent the damage in pulmonary function from cigarette smoking.