According to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs in collaboration with the Korean Association of Smoking and Health, a little over 40 percent of Korean males smoke, a 1.6 percent drop from last year.

The number of male smokers in the country has been declining since the early 90s. In 1992, 75 percent of men smoked. This fell to almost 52 percent in 2005, and the figure continues to drop.

The gradual decrease has experts believing the figure could edge down to less than 30 percent by year’s end.

Women are also lighting up less. The number of female smokers was at 4.6 percent last year but dropped to 3.7 percent this year.

The overall number of smokers has decreased by more than one percent since last year. While many seem to be kicking the habit in favor of healthier lifestyles, 91 percent of those still hooked smoke every day.

Almost 43 percent admit to smoking because they are addicted, while over 35 percent say it relieves stress.

Arirang News