BACKGROUND: This study examines the characteristics of adult capsule cigarette users in Korea and explores the perceived health impacts of their use, providing foundational data for future regulation of flavoured tobacco products.
METHODS: An online survey was conducted with 4345 participants from a panel of 22844 individuals managed by Gallup Korea, yielding 1064 valid responses. Data collection occurred between October 5 and October 20, 2023, with SPSS 21.0 used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS: The study found that 45% of respondents were capsule cigarette users, with usage significantly higher among young adults aged 19–29 (68.9%) compared to other age groups (p<.001). Dual- or triple-product tobacco users reported a higher rate of capsule cigarette use (70.4%) than single-product users (p<.001). Commonly reported symptoms among capsule cigarette users included dizziness (58.3%), nausea (56.5%), and shortness of breath (31.8%), which were more frequent than in non-smokers (p<.005). Logistic regression analysis identified age as a significant factor, with those aged 19–29 more likely to use capsule cigarettes than other age groups (aOR, 4.52; 95% CI, 2.45–8.34). White-collar workers were more likely to use capsule cigarettes than unemployed individuals (aOR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.29–4.35), while blue-collar workers showed lower usage rates. Multi-tobacco product users were significantly more likely to use capsule cigarettes, with triple-product users (aOR, 3.69) and dual-product users (aOR, 2.13) showing higher odds compared to single-product users. Smokers consuming fewer than 10 cigarettes per day had a higher likelihood of capsule cigarette use than heavy smokers. Shortness of breath was significantly associated with capsule cigarette use (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.60–4.23).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the popularity of capsule cigarettes among young adults and multi-product users and emphasize the need for regulatory action to mitigate associated health risks.