More Koreans were smoking last year than in 2008. According to the ministry for health, welfare and family affairs, the smoking rate for people aged 19 or older increased by one percentage point, going up to 23.3 per cent at the end of 2009.

The ministry surveyed 3,000 people by phone across the nation. The rate for males went up to 43.1 per cent, from 40.9 per cent, while that for females decreased to 3.9 per cent from 4.1 per cent over the same period. Of those surveyed, 68.8 per cent replied that they have attempted to quit smoking at least once. In response to the rising smoking rate, the ministry plans to intensify anti-smoking efforts by designating more parks, hospitals and other public facilities as smoking-free areas. (sra)