A recent research study conducted by experts at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade revealed that the majority of heated tobacco product users were previously smokers of traditional cigarettes before switching to newer products that heat tobacco instead of burning it.

Experts emphasized that switching to heated tobacco products increases the chances of completely quitting smoking. They also affirmed that there is no evidence that heated tobacco products serve as a gateway to starting smoking.

The experts continued: “The study, conducted on 4,514 adults, addressed the claims alleging that teenagers are drawn to heated tobacco products and that these products represent a new gateway to attract new smokers. The results revealed that those who start smoking during adolescence are less likely to choose heated tobacco products and prefer traditional cigarettes.”

The study also cited the latest data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which revealed that 99.4% of heated tobacco product users either switched from smoking traditional cigarettes or are dual users, while only 0.6% are new smokers.

The study also highlighted the significant shift in the Korean tobacco market since 2017 with the introduction of heated tobacco products. Heated tobacco product sales accounted for only 2.2% of total tobacco sales in the first year of their introduction, capturing 12% in the first half of 2021. This growth, fueled by a shift away from traditional cigarettes, has a potential public health benefit, especially given that scientific studies suggest that the harmful effects of smoking primarily stem from cigarette smoke produced by combustion, which heated tobacco products avoid.

The experts conducting the study emphasized that these changes in the Korean tobacco market provide an excellent research environment to explore the reasons why smokers are adopting heated tobacco products so rapidly. This is particularly important to policymakers regarding tobacco regulatory laws, including taxation and market regulation.

The study, which included 2,356 non-smokers, 1,316 traditional cigarette smokers, and 842 heated tobacco product (HTP) users, found that adult females, individuals with higher education, those with children, and those employed in office jobs, as well as those with higher levels of health concerns were more likely to switch from traditional smoking to heated tobacco products.

The study also revealed that adult females between the ages of 20 and 39 were more likely to switch to heated tobacco products, regardless of their income levels. In contrast, males over the age of 40 were more likely to switch to heated tobacco products if they had higher incomes.