Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

Perspectives

Firefighters as a Key Alliance Group to Advocate for Tobacco Control Policies in Korea: Heewon Kang, Susan Park, Sung-il Cho; J Prev Med Public Health. 2026;59(1):105-108. Published online December 14, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.25.528

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Abstract Summary PDF: Tobacco control is a public health priority. However, Korea has recently experienced a reversal in its long-term decline in smoking prevalence. To address this trend, it is essential to broaden advocacy networks by engaging new stakeholders. We propose that firefighters represent a strategic yet under-represented partner in tobacco control because their professional interests closely align with tobacco-related policy goals. First, cigarette butts have consistently been the leading cause of fire incidents, and tobacco use directly undermines firefighters’ core mission to protect life and public safety. Moreover, firefighters face elevated health risks due to occupational exposure to harmful substances, and tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke can further compound these risks. Additionally, a portion of tobacco tax revenue is allocated to fire service funding, creating a direct fiscal linkage between tobacco control and firefighting resources. A logical next step is to promote collaboration through intergovernmental partnerships between public health authorities and national fire services. This collaboration includes targeted health promotion initiatives that assess tobacco use among firefighters and provide cessation support. Broader strategies, such as mass media campaigns and coordinated advocacy for increases in tobacco taxes, should also be jointly implemented. Such an alliance could improve firefighters’ well-being, reduce fire-related risks, and strengthen the overall tobacco control response.; Summary

Korean summary
담배 사용이 화재 위험과 소방관의 건강에 미치는 영향을 바탕로, 소방관을 담배규제 정책 옹호를 위한 핵심 협력 집단으로 제안한다. 담배꽁초로 인한 화재, 소방관의 직업적 건강 위험, 그리고 담뱃세의 소방 재정 기여라는 구조적 연계를 통해 공중보건과 소방 안전 간의 공동 이익을 실현할 수 있다. 공중보건과 소방 조직 간의 협력은 담배 사용 감소와 화재 예방을 동시에 달성할 수 있는 전략적 기회가 될 수 있을 것이다.

Key Message
This perspective argues that firefighters represent a strategic yet underutilized alliance group for advancing tobacco control in Korea. Tobacco use directly contributes to fire incidents, exacerbates firefighters’ occupational health risks, and is fiscally linked to fire services through earmarked tobacco taxes. Strengthening collaboration between public health authorities and fire services could reduce smoking prevalence, improve firefighter well-being, and enhance fire safety, creating mutually reinforcing public health and safety gains.

Epidemiological Model for Conventional Tobacco Control Measures and Tobacco Endgame Policies: Heewon Kang, Sung-il Cho; J Prev Med Public Health. 2023;56(5):481-484. Published online September 26, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.23.239

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Epidemiological models, also known as host-agent-vector-environment models, are utilized in public health to gain insights into disease occurrence and to formulate intervention strategies. In this paper, we propose an epidemiological model that incorporates both conventional measures and tobacco endgame policies. Our model suggests that conventional measures focus on relationships among agent-vector-host-environment components, whereas endgame policies inherently aim to change or eliminate those components at a fundamental level. We also found that the vector (tobacco industry) and environment (physical and social surroundings) components were insufficiently researched or controlled by both conventional measures and tobacco endgame policies. The use of an epidemiological model for tobacco control and the tobacco endgame is recommended to identify areas that require greater effort and to develop effective intervention measures.

Summary

Korean summary
이 연구는 기존의 담배규제와 관련된 역학 모형을 확장하여 담배 수요를 줄이기 위한 조치인 MPOWER 정책과 담배 종결전의 주요 정책을 아우르는 개념적 모형을 제시하였다. 각 정책을 개념적 모형 내 배치한 결과, MPOWER 정책은 모형 내 구성요소 간의 연결을 끊는 것을 목표로 하는 반면, 종결전 정책은 모형 내 요소들을 영구적으로 변화시키거나 제거하려는 특성을 가지고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 담배규제정책이 개체, 병원체, 벡터 및 환경 요소에 대한 균형 잡힌 포트폴리오를 갖추고 있는지 평가하기 위해 이 개념적 모형을 활용할 수 있다.

Key Message
We extended the conceptual epidemiological model for tobacco control by incorporating measures to reduce the demand for tobacco (MPOWER measures) and key endgame policies. The model suggests that MPOWER measures focus on disconnecting the relationships between model components, while endgame policies aim to permanently change or eliminate the components themselves. This model can be used to examine whether a country or jurisdiction's tobacco control policy maintains a balanced portfolio across agent, host, vector, and environmental factors.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Firefighters as a Key Alliance Group to Advocate for Tobacco Control Policies in Korea
Heewon Kang, Susan Park, Sung-il Cho
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2026; 59(1): 105. CrossRef
Public support for tobacco endgame policies in South Korea: Findings from the 2020 International Tobacco Control Korea Survey
Heewon Kang, Wonjeong Yoon, Hong Gwan Seo, Sungkyu Lee, Sujin Lim, Gil-yong Kim, Su Young Kim, Steve S Xu, Mi Yan, Anne C K Quah, Janet Chung-Hall, Lorraine V Craig, Coral E Gartner, Geoffrey T Fong, Sung-il Cho
Tobacco Control.2025; 34(e1): e33. CrossRef
Extent and Characteristics of Illegal Tobacco Sales on Social Media X
Heewon Kang, Naeun Kang, Gil-yong Kim, Hun Min Jang, Woojin Jeong, Susan Park
Journal of the Korean Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.2025; 16(1): 17. CrossRef
Prosociality and public support for tobacco control policies among South Korean adults: A cross-sectional study
Jaeyoung Ha, Heewon Kang, Ichiro Kawachi, Jieun Hwang, Sung-il Cho
SSM - Population Health.2025; 30: 101809. CrossRef
Decrease in household secondhand smoking among Korean adolescents associated with smoke-free policies: grade-period-cohort and interrupted time series analyses
Hana Kim, Heewon Kang, Sung-il Cho
Epidemiology and Health.2023; 46: e2024009. CrossRef

COVID-19: Brief Report

The Evolving Policy Debate on Border Closure in Korea: Su JIn Kang, Jihyun Moon, Heewon Kang, Heekyoung Nam, Sangwoo Tak, Sung-Il Cho; J Prev Med Public Health. 2020;53(5):302-306. Published online September 11, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.20.213

7,814 View
140 Download
5 Crossref

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Objectives
In this paper, we aimed to investigate the evolving debate over border closure in Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to address the main themes associated with border closure, and to discuss the factors that need to be considered when making such decisions.
Methods
We collated and reviewed previously conducted review studies on border closures during infectious disease outbreaks to derive relevant themes and factors.
Results
According to our systematic review on border closures and travel restrictions, the effects of such containment efforts are limited. We suggest considering the following factors when determining whether to impose border closure measures: (1) disease characteristics, (2) timeliness of implementation, (3) transmission delay and the basic reproduction number, (4) globalization and pandemics, and (5) social and economic costs.
Conclusions
Our assessment indicates that the effects of border closures are at best temporary and limited. Alternative measures must be contemplated and implemented to suppress the spread of COVID-19 in particular and infectious diseases more broadly.

Summary

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Schengen Borders as Lines that Continue to Separate? Media Representations of Pandemic Dimensions of Insecurity in Eastern German Border Regions to Poland
Nona Renner, Judith Miggelbrink, Kristine Beurskens, Antonia Zitterbart
Journal of Borderlands Studies.2022; 37(4): 825. CrossRef
Classification Schemes of COVID-19 High Risk Areas and Resulting Policies: A Rapid Review
Olalekan A. Uthman, Olatunji O. Adetokunboh, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Sameh Al-Awlaqi, Johanna Hanefeld, Charbel El Bcheraoui
Frontiers in Public Health.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
A measure to estimate the risk of imported COVID-19 cases and its application for evaluating travel-related control measures
Heewon Kang, Kyung-Duk Min, Seonghee Jeon, Ju-Yeun Lee, Sung-il Cho
Scientific Reports.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Towards sustainable airport waste management through the adoption of a "green" airport strategy: The case of Incheon International Airport
Glenn Baxter
Clean Technologies and Recycling.2022; 2(4): 247. CrossRef
Pathways between COVID-19 public health responses and increasing overdose risks: A rapid review and conceptual framework
Tribesty Nguyen, Jane A. Buxton
International Journal of Drug Policy.2021; 93: 103236. CrossRef

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