The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency revealed that the number of deaths caused by direct smoking was 72,689 in 2022, as of the 30th. This averages to 199 deaths per day. The various social and economic expenses, including medical costs, were found to be 13.6316 trillion won.
The number of deaths from direct smoking increased from 61,360 in 2020 to 63,426 in 2021. During the same period, social and economic expenses rose from 12.8912 trillion won to 12.9754 trillion won.
Current male smokers had a 1.7 times higher probability of death compared to non-smoking males. For females, the probability was found to be 1.8 times higher. Males who had smoked in the past but do not smoke now have a 1.1 times higher probability of death than non-smoking males. For females, the probability was 1.3 times higher.
Since 2019, the social and economic expenses from smoking have been calculated annually at the national level. This is to use as supporting data when creating smoking cessation policies and tobacco regulation policies. Jeong-mi Ji, the head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, noted, "Smoking causes cancer and various chronic diseases," and "We must practice smoking cessation for a healthy future."