| Summary: | Introduction
Heated tobacco product (HTP) use has increased rapidly in Korea
since its introduction in 2017. We investigated the prevalence and correlates of the
current use of HTPs among a nationally representative sample of Korean adults.
Material and Methods
A total of 6182 participants aged ≥19 years took part in the 2018 Korea
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted one year after
the introduction of HTPs in Korea. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and
multivariable logistic regressions were used.
Results
The prevalence of current HTP use (defined as past 30-day use) among
Korean adults was 4.4% (7.8% for males and 0.9% for females) in 2018. Among
current HTP users, approximately 90% were dual users with combustible
cigarettes (CCs) or electronic cigarettes (ECs), or triple users with CCs and
ECs. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, males, younger participants,
and current CC and/or EC users showed greater odds of being current users of
HTPs compared with females, older participants, and non-users of CCs and ECs.
Moreover, current EC-only users were more likely to use HTPs than current
CC-only users. Compared with current CC-only use, using HTPs with CCs
concurrently was not associated with attempts to quit smoking during the past
year or with intentions to quit CC smoking.
Conclusions
The popularity of HTP use and the pattern of its poly use with CCs
and ECs is a new challenge for Korean tobacco control policy.
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