Korea’s Youth Health: Tobacco Use Down, But New Concerns Emerge in 2025 Survey
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 long-term trends show a positive decline in tobacco use among teenagers, the 2025 Adolescent Health Behavior Survey reveals worrying increases in risky drinking behaviors, particularly among young women, and continued high rates of smartphone dependency. 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
The survey, which has tracked the health habits of approximately 60,000 middle and high school students since 2005, shows that current tobacco use stands at 5.4% for male students and 2.8% for female students – a slight decrease from 2024. This continues a consistent decline since 2019, when the indicator was first introduced. However, the report highlights a concerning trend: 61.4% of current tobacco users report repeated use, up from 47.7% in 2019. This suggests that while fewer teens are experimenting with tobacco, those who do are finding it harder to quit.
Interestingly, the type of tobacco product is shifting. While traditional cigarettes remain the most popular (3.3%), liquid-type e-cigarettes are close behind (2.9%), followed by cigarette-type electronic cigarettes (1.6%).
Risky Drinking on the Rise, Especially Among Girls
While overall drinking rates have decreased slightly (9.8% for males, 6.1% for females), the proportion of young drinkers engaging in “risky” drinking – consuming excessive amounts of alcohol in a single sitting – is increasing. This is particularly pronounced among female middle school students, with a 6.3% jump to 44.8% in 2025. Experts suggest this could be linked to evolving social pressures and changing attitudes towards alcohol consumption among young women. This is a critical area for public health intervention.
Physical Activity & Sedentary Lifestyles: A Balancing Act
The survey also examined physical activity levels. Only 24.5% of male students and 8.5% of female students meet the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of physical activity five days a week. While these numbers are slightly down from 2024, there’s a glimmer of hope: participation in organized sports teams remains relatively high at 47.7%, and the frequency of exercise during physical education classes has increased. However, the average daily screen time remains a concern, with students spending significant portions of their day sitting for learning (437.5 minutes) and leisure (186.7 minutes on weekdays, 295.4 minutes on weekends).
Smartphone Dependency & Mental Wellbeing
Unsurprisingly, smartphone usage continues to climb. Students are now spending an average of 253.9 minutes (males) and 293.2 minutes (females) on their smartphones on weekdays, with even higher usage on weekends. This increased screen time is often linked to mental health challenges. The survey found that 21.7% of male students and 29.9% of female students reported experiencing depression, although rates have decreased slightly from 2024. Perceived stress levels also remain high, particularly among girls.
Dietary Habits: Small Improvements, Persistent Challenges
There’s some positive news on the dietary front. Consumption of sweet beverages and high-caffeine drinks has decreased significantly. However, breakfast skipping rates remain high (41.9% for males, 45.3% for females), and fruit consumption is relatively low (around 18%). The survey also introduced a new metric – zero beverage consumption – revealing that over 20% of male students and 12% of female students consume no beverages at all three or more times a week, raising concerns about potential dehydration.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Targeted Interventions
KDCA Director Lim Seung-gwan emphasized the need for continued monitoring of these trends and targeted interventions to improve youth health. “While we’ve seen progress in some areas, the increasing rates of risky drinking and repeated tobacco use, coupled with high smartphone dependency, require a comprehensive and nuanced approach,” he stated. The KDCA plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies to develop and implement policies that address these challenges, taking into account the distinct health behaviors of boys and girls, and students at different school levels. The full survey results will be presented at a conference in Cheongju on December 8th, and the raw data will be made publicly available on the KDCA’s Youth Health Behavior Survey website.
This data serves as a vital reminder that adolescent health is a dynamic landscape, requiring ongoing research, proactive policies, and open communication between parents, educators, and healthcare professionals. Stay tuned to archyde.com for further updates on this important story and in-depth analysis of the latest health trends.
