Cigarette smoking in North Korea

This indicator measures the share of the population aged 15 years and over who currently smoke cigarettes, including both daily and non-daily smokers. Estimates are age-standardized, which removes the influence of differences in population age structures across countries. These estimates are harmonized and modeled by the World Health Organization (WHO) based on national survey data.
Smoking prevalence is a leading predictor of long-term life expectancy and chronic disease rates. While declining rates reflect the effectiveness of public health policies and tobacco control, high prevalence indicates increased pressure on national healthcare systems.