J Prev Med Public Health.  2017 Jan;50(1):60-65. 10.3961/jpmph.16.079.

Tobacco Use Among Students Aged 13-15 Years in South Korea: The 2013 Global Youth Tobacco Survey

• Choi S
• Kim Y
• Lee J
• Kashiwabara M
• Oh K

• KMID: 2369712
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.16.079

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We examined the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke among middle-school students in Korea using the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in 2013.
METHODS
The GYTS in Korea was conducted between July and August 2013 by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data were collected using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire from a nationally representative sample of middle-school students aged 13-15 years in sampled classrooms.
RESULTS
The GYTS in Korea was completed by 4235 students aged 13-15 years in 43 middle schools. Approximately one in five of the students (17.8%) reported that they had tried cigarettes in the past, while 5.2% reported currently being cigarette smokers. Current cigarette smoking was higher in boys (7.5%) than in girls (2.6%). Of the students, 29.7% had been exposed to secondhand smoke at home, 47.4% inside enclosed public places, and 53.9% in outdoor public places. Of the current cigarette smokers, 25.7% bought their cigarettes from a store despite a law prohibiting this. Additionally, 58.0% of students noticed point-of-sale tobacco advertisements or promotions, 66.8% of current cigarette smokers wanted to stop smoking, and 70.9% of students had been taught about the dangers of tobacco use in school.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide an opportunity to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive tobacco control policy. The results suggest that youth have relatively easy access to cigarettes and are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, as well as to point-of-sale tobacco advertisements and promotions. Strict enforcement of the ban on tobacco sales to youth, expanding smoke-free areas, and advertising bans are needed to reduce tobacco use among youth.

Keyword

Global Youth Tobacco Survey; Republic of Korea; Tobacco use

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Anonyms and Pseudonyms
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Commerce
Female
Humans
Jurisprudence
Korea*
Prevalence
Republic of Korea
Smoke
Smoking
Tobacco Products
Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Tobacco Use*
Tobacco*
Smoke
Tobacco Smoke Pollution