The number of South Korean smokers using traditional cigarettes alongside both heated tobacco products and liquid e-cigarettes has surged more than fourfold over the past five years. Because these multi-product users face lower cessation success rates, health policy experts are demanding customized public support programs.
According to data submitted by the Korea Health Promotion Institute to Representative Han Ji-ah of the People Power Party, “triple-product smokers” registered at public health quit clinics grew from 742 in 2021 to 3,009 last year—a 4.1-fold increase. Dual users of traditional cigarettes and heated tobacco rose 2.7 times to 10,942, while dual users of traditional cigarettes and liquid vapes increased 2.6 times to 10,587.
| User Category | Product Types Used | 6-Month Quit Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Product | Heated tobacco only | 36.1% |
| Single-Product | Combustible cigarettes only | 33.7% |
| Single-Product | Liquid e-cigarettes only | 33.0% |
| Dual-Product | Cigarettes + Heated tobacco | 30.2% |
| Dual-Product | Cigarettes + Liquid e-cigarettes | 27.2% |
| Triple-Product | Cigarettes + Heated tobacco + Liquid vapes | 25.2% |
Representative Han emphasized the need for structural changes in national cessation programs to address this trend directly.
“Because multi-product smokers record lower quit success rates, they must be managed as a distinct high-risk group,” Rep. Han stated. “Public health clinics must accurately identify the types of tobacco used from the initial consultation stage and subdivide their programs based on nicotine dependence.”
