A recent anti-smoking survey in South Korea reveals a structural shift in smoking habits. According to the latest national data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the smoking rate among men in their 30s has dropped from 48% in 2015 to 28.5% in 2024 — a decline of nearly 20 percentage points in nine years.
Meanwhile, when vaping is included in the overall “tobacco use” category, the decline becomes noticeably slower. In 2024, the total tobacco use rate among men in their 30s stood at 40.1%, only 4.9 percentage points lower than in 2019. The reason behind this is clear: as traditional cigarette use falls, more smokers are turning to vapes as an alternative.
This data sends a strong signal to the global vaping industry — vaping is becoming the mainstream direction for harm reduction.
Data Reflects the Real-World Demand for “Scientific Smoking Alternatives”
The KDCA data also shows significant changes in South Korea’s smoking demographics. Among men aged 19–29, the smoking rate dropped by 16.1 percentage points; among those in their 40s, it declined by 8.9 points; while the rate among men over 50 remained relatively stable.
This shift highlights how younger generations’ awareness of health, social image, and lifestyle choices is driving them to seek lower-risk and more modern forms of nicotine consumption.
Vaping has gained popularity precisely because it uses vaporization technology to dramatically reduce exposure to harmful substances such as tar and carbon monoxide, while maintaining the familiar sensation and satisfaction of smoking.
This aligns with the core principle of Harm Reduction, emphasized by public health experts:
When complete cessation is not yet achievable, adopting lower-risk alternatives is a more scientific and realistic approach to tobacco control.
From South Korea to the World: A Collective Shift in Health Awareness
South Korea is not alone. In recent years, official data from Japan, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand also show a steady decline in traditional cigarette use, accompanied by a consistent rise in vaping adoption.
This transformation reflects both public health policy efforts and growing health awareness — as well as a broader acceptance of technologically enabled, controlled nicotine use.
Vaping is no longer viewed merely as a substitute for cigarettes, but as a new cultural form of smoking — cleaner, more controllable, and more rational.
In Asian markets, this shift is particularly pronounced. Consumers in Southeast Asia and the Middle East are increasingly embracing the concept of harm reduction, seeking a balance between experience and well-being. This not only raises the bar for product technology but also reinforces the value of scientific vaping alternatives.
SP2S: Advanced Technology, Safer Vaping
As a brand dedicated to harm reduction and technological innovation, SP2S has long committed itself to creating safer and more comfortable vaping experiences through advanced design and scientific engineering.
From porous ceramic coils to intelligent power control systems, and from precise airflow tuning to comprehensive safety protection, SP2S upholds the philosophy of
“Using technology and design to make vaporization more pure.”
At SP2S, quitting smoking is not seen as a form of deprivation — it is an evolution led by technology.
It empowers smokers to regain control of their pace and choices in a healthier, more balanced way.
Through scientific vaping alternatives, SP2S helps users reduce tar and odor intake while preserving the familiar rhythm and satisfaction of smoking — a mission that continues to drive the brand’s ongoing research and innovation.
South Korea’s data represents more than just a statistical shift — it is global validation of the harm reduction philosophy.
As smokers worldwide transition to vaping, SP2S aims to drive this change with science and rationality, making vaporization the perfect balance between health and freedom.
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