Korean Teen Smoking Declines, But Risky Drinking & Digital Habits Raise Concerns: Breaking News
Seoul, South Korea – December 4, 2025 – A newly released report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) paints a mixed picture of adolescent health in South Korea. While rates of traditional cigarette smoking continue a welcome downward trend, concerning increases in risky drinking, particularly among young women, and escalating smartphone usage are prompting calls for revised youth health policies. This breaking news is crucial for understanding the evolving health landscape of Korean youth and has implications for public health strategies globally.
Tobacco Use Among Korean Teens: A Continuing Decline
The KDCA’s 2025 Adolescent Health Behavior Survey reveals that 5.4% of male students and 2.8% of female students currently use tobacco products, a slight decrease from 2024. This continues a positive trend observed since 2019, when the indicator was first tracked. However, the report highlights a significant disparity: high school students are more than three times more likely to smoke than their middle school counterparts (8.3% vs. 2.7% for males). Liquid-type e-cigarettes are gaining traction, nearly matching the popularity of traditional cigarettes among teens.
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Risky Drinking: A Worrying Trend, Especially for Young Women
While overall drinking rates have decreased (9.8% for males, 6.1% for females), the proportion of current drinkers engaging in “risky” drinking – consuming excessive amounts of alcohol in a single sitting – is on the rise. This is particularly alarming for female middle school students, with a 6.3% increase in risky drinking rates in 2025, reaching 44.8%. This suggests a need for targeted interventions addressing alcohol consumption patterns among this vulnerable group.
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Digital Habits & Sedentary Lifestyles: A Modern Challenge
The survey also sheds light on the digital habits of Korean adolescents. Weekday smartphone usage averages 253.9 minutes for boys and 293.2 minutes for girls, with weekend usage even higher. While time spent sitting for learning purposes has slightly decreased, overall sedentary behavior remains a concern. Interestingly, participation in sports teams has declined, though frequency of exercise during physical education classes has increased.
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Beyond the Numbers: A Holistic View of Teen Wellbeing
The KDCA’s report also examined mental health indicators. Rates of depression and perceived stress have decreased slightly, but remain significant, with nearly 30% of female students reporting depressive symptoms. Sleep satisfaction remains low, and breakfast skipping rates are high (over 40% for both genders). The survey also revealed a surprising trend: 20.1% of male students and 12.7% of female students consume *no* beverages three or more times a week, a finding that warrants further investigation.
Expert Insight: “These findings underscore the complex interplay of factors influencing adolescent health,” says KDCA Director Lim Seung-gwan. “While progress has been made in reducing smoking and drinking, we must address the emerging challenges of risky drinking patterns, increasing digital screen time, and ensuring adequate physical activity and mental wellbeing.”
The KDCA plans to present the full survey results at a conference in Cheongju on December 8th and will release the raw data on its Youth Health Behavior Survey website. This commitment to transparency and data accessibility is vital for informed policymaking and continued progress in improving the health of Korean youth.
As South Korea navigates these evolving health challenges, the lessons learned can offer valuable insights for countries worldwide striving to support the wellbeing of their next generation. Stay tuned to archyde.com for ongoing coverage of this important story and in-depth analysis of global youth health trends.
