Korea’s Youth Health Trends: Tobacco Use Declines, Risky Drinking Rises – Urgent Breaking News
Seoul, South Korea – December 4, 2025 – A newly released report from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) paints a complex picture of adolescent health in South Korea. While long-term trends show a positive decline in tobacco use among young people, the latest ‘Adolescent Health Behavior Survey’ reveals a worrying uptick in risky drinking behaviors, particularly among female middle school students, and a continued rise in smartphone usage. This breaking news provides crucial data for policymakers and parents alike, and is optimized for Google News and SEO visibility.
Tobacco Use Continues Downward Trend, But ‘Poly-Use’ Concerns Grow
The survey, conducted among approximately 60,000 middle and high school students nationwide, shows that current tobacco use stands at 5.4% for male students and 2.8% for female students in 2025 – a slight decrease from 2024. This continues a positive trend observed since 2019. However, officials are expressing concern over the increasing rate of “poly-use,” where adolescents experiment with multiple tobacco products. Currently, 61.4% of tobacco users report repeated use, up from 47.7% in 2019. Liquid-type e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes remain the most popular forms, with high school males showing the highest rates of regular cigarette smoking (7.0%).
Evergreen Context: The decline in traditional cigarette smoking among youth globally is often attributed to public health campaigns, increased taxation, and restrictions on advertising. However, the rise of e-cigarettes presents a new challenge, as their perceived lower risk can lead to nicotine addiction and potential gateway effects to traditional cigarettes. Understanding these patterns is vital for effective prevention strategies.
Risky Drinking: A Concerning Rise, Especially Among Young Girls
While overall drinking rates have decreased slightly (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, where risky drinking rates jumped a significant 6.3% to 44.8% in 2025. This suggests a need for targeted interventions addressing the specific factors driving this trend.
Evergreen Context: Risky drinking behaviors in adolescence are linked to a range of negative consequences, including impaired cognitive development, increased risk of accidents and injuries, and long-term health problems. Cultural factors, peer pressure, and accessibility of alcohol all play a role. Early intervention and education are crucial to mitigating these risks.
Digital Habits & Physical Activity: A Mixed Bag
The survey also shed light on youth digital habits and physical activity levels. While average daily screen time (for learning and leisure) has decreased slightly compared to 2024, smartphone usage remains high, with female students averaging 293.2 minutes per day. Physical activity levels remain low, with only 24.5% of male students and 8.5% of female students meeting the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of activity five days a week.
Evergreen Context: The increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and excessive screen time is a global health concern. These behaviors are linked to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health problems. Promoting physical activity and responsible technology use is essential for fostering healthy development.
Mental Wellbeing: Depression Rates Show Slight Improvement
There’s a glimmer of positive news regarding mental health. Rates of reported depression decreased slightly for both male (21.7%) and female (29.9%) students compared to 2024. However, perceived stress levels remain high, particularly among female students (50.3%).
KDCA Calls for Targeted Policies & Continued Monitoring
KDCA Director Lim Seung-gwan emphasized the need for continued monitoring of these trends and the development of youth health policies that address the specific needs of different genders and school levels. “Smoking and drinking have generally improved over the past 10 years, but the multiple use of tobacco products continues to increase, so monitoring this and interest and support to improve physical activity and eating habits appear to be necessary,” he stated. The KDCA will present the full survey results at a conference in Cheongju on December 8th and will make the raw data publicly available on their Youth Health Behavior Survey website this December.
This data serves as a critical reminder that adolescent health is a dynamic landscape, requiring ongoing attention and proactive interventions. Staying informed about these trends – and understanding the underlying factors – is paramount for building a healthier future for Korea’s youth. For more in-depth coverage of health trends and policy updates, continue to visit archyde.com.
