Statistics show that the number of people resolving to quit smoking is decreasing every year.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's '2023 National Health Statistics' on the 5th, as of 2023, the percentage of adult smokers aged 19 and over who responded that they have plans to quit smoking within the next month was 13.1%.
The percentage was only 7.1% in 2001, when this question was first included in the National Health Impact Survey. However, it steadily increased, reaching 19.8% in 2007, and maintained around 20% until 2020. In 2015, it peaked at 25.5%.
However, the rate of people resolving to quit smoking began to decline after reaching 18.9% in 2020. It recorded 15.8% in 2021, 14.2% in 2022, and dropped to 13.1% in 2023. This is nearly half compared to 2015. The increase in the quit smoking resolution rate in 2015 was heavily influenced by the cigarette price rising to 4,500 won.
By age group, the younger individuals are, the lower the percentage planning to quit smoking. Among those aged 19 to 29, only 9.2% responded that they have plans to quit smoking. The percentages for those in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and over 70s were 13.5%, 12.7%, 12.4%, 17.9%, and 17.8%, respectively.
Experts analyzed that the increase in new types of tobacco, such as electronic cigarettes, is also a factor delaying the decision to quit smoking. Lee Seong-gyu, director of the Korea Center for Tobacco Regulation Research and Education, pointed out in an interview with Yonhap News that 'manufacturers and others mislead the public by presenting electronic cigarettes as helpful in quitting traditional cigarettes, leading to an increase in people switching to electronic cigarettes instead of quitting entirely.'