There Is No Less Harmful Cigarette... E-Cigarettes Are Ultimately Cigarettes Too

Embrain Survey on Smoking Status and E-Cigarettes
8 out of 10 Say "Stricter Smoking Regulations Needed in Korea"

As the shift from conventional cigarettes to electronic cigarettes gradually takes place, despite a relatively lenient atmosphere toward e-cigarettes, opinions that the same level of regulation as conventional cigarettes is necessary are expanding.

According to the 'Smoking Status and Electronic Cigarette Survey' conducted by market research firm Embrain on June 15, targeting 1,200 men and women aged 13 to 69 nationwide, the main smoking method among smokers was conventional cigarettes at 63.4%, followed by heated tobacco products at 22.6%, and liquid-type e-cigarettes at 14.0%. By gender, the main smoking method of male smokers was similar to the overall smoking pattern, while 28.6% of female smokers responded that they use 'liquid-type e-cigarettes,' nearly three times higher than males (10.6%).

By age group, the proportion of heated tobacco product users was generally higher among the 30s and 40s compared to other age groups. In particular, the proportion of heated tobacco product users was highest at 40.4% among those in their 40s, and when combined with liquid-type e-cigarette users (12.8%), it was the only group where the use of e-cigarettes exceeded that of conventional cigarettes. On the other hand, more than 80% of those aged 50 and above still primarily smoked conventional cigarettes.

Among e-cigarette smokers, the biggest reasons for using e-cigarettes were 'disliking the smell of tobacco on the body' (54.9%, multiple responses allowed) and 'less smoke or odor compared to conventional cigarettes' (46.9%). In fact, about half of the respondents evaluated that 'e-cigarettes cause less discomfort to others compared to conventional cigarettes' (53.1%) and 'are less repulsive' (48.5%), indicating a relatively open attitude toward e-cigarettes.

Especially among younger people in their 20s, responses such as 'e-cigarettes have a better smell compared to conventional cigarettes' (teens 54.5%, 20s 72.0%, 30s 57.5%, 40s 54.0%, 50s 46.5%, 60s 31.0%) and 'seem less harmful to health' (teens 27.5%, 20s 39.5%, 30s 30.0%, 40s 20.0%, 50s 14.5%, 60s 14.5%) were high, showing a strong perception that e-cigarettes are somewhat better than conventional cigarettes.

Nevertheless, awareness that e-cigarettes can also be harmful to health remained high. A majority agreed that 'both conventional and e-cigarettes harm non-smokers' (90.8% agreement rate) and that 'secondhand smoke from e-cigarettes also clearly causes harm' (90.8%), showing significant concern about potential harm. Furthermore, the perception that 'e-cigarettes are just as harmful as conventional cigarettes' (89.8%) is spreading, and the opinion that 'the belief that e-cigarettes are safe should disappear' (88.5%) was expressed, highlighting the need for improved awareness about e-cigarettes.

As concerns about e-cigarettes grow, the consensus is forming that 'e-cigarettes should also be regulated at the same level as conventional cigarettes in the future' (66.8%). Although many were not well aware of the recent strengthened e-cigarette regulations announced in Europe (54.6% heard for the first time, 41.8% heard but do not know details), there was agreement that 'regulatory expansion is necessary in Korea in line with global trends' (75.0%). In particular, the perception that 'e-cigarette regulations should be expanded to reduce youth smoking rates' (81.1% agreement rate) was clear, likely because e-cigarettes may spread as an initial smoking method due to the misconception that they are less harmful than conventional cigarettes.

Moreover, the need for strengthening overall smoking cessation policies and tobacco regulations was highly valued. The majority of respondents agreed that 'smoking regulations in public places in Korea should be stricter' (84.7%), and 82.7% responded that 'policies considerate of non-smokers should be expanded.' Embrain analyzed that "a consensus is forming on the necessity of strengthening regulations to minimize social harm and protect the rights of non-smokers."