PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.19 No.6, February 12, 2026 Article TypeOriginal ArticlePolicy NoteQuickStats

• Original Article 2026-02-12

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  Tobacco Product Use Behaviors Trend among Korean Youth: Finding from the Korean Youth Health Behavior Panel Survey (Waves 1 to 6)

  Jun Hyun Hwang , Inho Park , Younjhin Ahn , Sung Hyun Kang , Juhyun Lee , Soon-woo Park

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(6): 287-303 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.6.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Adolescent tobacco use often leads to adult smoking, yet longitudinal evidence in the Republic of Korea is limited. This study examined the annual incidence, current use, dual use patterns, and first product type among Korean adolescents using data from the Korean Youth Health Behavior Panel Survey (KYHPS).
  Methods: Data from Waves 1–6 (2019–2024) of the KYHPS, comprising 5,051 students followed annually, were analyzed. Use patterns of conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products were assessed, accounting for longitudinal weights and complex survey design.
  Results: Annual incidence of tobacco product use peaked at the transition to 10th grade (3.29%) and declined thereafter. Among 11th-grade girls, the prevalence of e-cigarette use (1.54%) surpassed that of conventional cigarettes (1.33%) for the first time. Of dual users, 36.3% initiated with e-cigarettes before transitioning to other tobacco products, suggesting a possible gateway effect of e-cigarettes.
  Conclusions: The transition from late middle to early high school is a critical intervention period for preventing adolescent tobacco initiation. Comprehensive tobacco control strategies encompassing all tobacco products are warranted.

• Policy Note 2026-02-12

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  Major Changes of the 2025 Korean Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Guidelines

  Sung Phil Chung , Do Kyun Kim , Tae-Youn Kim , Youdong Sohn , Gyuhong Shim , Young Hwa Jung , Yunhee Oh , Chun Song Youn , Mi Jin Lee , Jisook Lee , Chang Hee Lee , Youngbin Jang , Yong Soo Jang , Gyu Chong Cho , Kyoung-Chul Cha , Ju Sun Heo , Sung Oh Hwang , Jisu Kim , Jungeun Lee , Eunhee Jeon

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(6): 304-321 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.6.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Korean cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines are updated every 5 years. This report presents the major changes and outlines the development process pertaining to the updated 2025 CPR guidelines.
  Methods: Seven task forces were organized with members nominated by professional societies associated with CPR. Each task force utilized the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology to develop key research questions before conducting systematic evidence reviews. The 2025 CPR guidelines were decided based on the reviewed evidence and discussions to achieve a consensus.
  Results: The 2025 guidelines include the following major modifications. 1) Rehabilitation and recovery are added to the chain of survival. 2) Dispatchers should be able to instruct the caller on the use of an automated external defibrillator. 3) It is recommended that trained rescuers should initiate rescue breaths in drowning-related cardiac arrests. 4) Double sequential defibrillation or vector change is advised for refractory ventricular fibrillation. 5) The target temperature for post-resuscitation temperature management is revised from 32–36°C to 33–37.5°C. 6) Public-access defibrillation is recommended for children aged ≥1 year. 7) The use of supraglottic airway devices and video laryngoscopy is suggested for neonatal resuscitation. 8) Feedback devices are recommended in CPR training. 9) A first aid section is added to address emergencies associated with cardiac arrest.
  Conclusions: The CPR guidelines have been revised based on the latest evidence. It is expected that the implementation of these updated guidelines and their inculcation via training programs will improve survival rates in cardiac arrest cases.

• QuickStats 2026-02-12

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  Trends in the Prevalence Gap of Perceived Stress by City and Province, 2016–2025

  Hyo-jeong Bae

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(6): 322-325 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.6.3

  

  

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