Thai adults may experience the negative consequences of smoking, alcohol use, and physical inactivity much earlier than previously believed, according to newly released research. A recent study, highlighted by MedicalXpress, reveals that the adverse effects of these common risk behaviors can be detected by the age of 36, prompting renewed concern among health experts and policymakers in Thailand who are battling rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Traditionally, the health dangers of smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise have been associated with older age groups, often becoming the focus of public campaigns targeting those in midlife or later. However, the study, based on long-term health tracking, challenges this view by showing that detectable harm to health and fitness from these behaviors often manifests well before reaching 40. The research adds urgency to efforts encouraging young Thai adults to make healthier choices early in life for both immediate and long-term benefits.
The key findings highlight that individuals who consistently smoked, consumed alcohol regularly, or engaged in physical inactivity showed worse health outcomes at age 36 compared to their peers with healthier lifestyles. These outcomes included markers of decreased cardiovascular fitness, metabolic health, and potentially early signs of chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. “This evidence clearly demonstrates that the cumulative effect of unhealthy lifestyles is apparent by the mid-30s, not just in later years,” said one of the study’s lead researchers as reported in the MedicalXpress article (MedicalXpress, 2025).
Thai physicians and public health officials have long warned of the dangers associated with smoking and excessive drinking, which remain prevalent in many communities. According to Thailand’s National Statistical Office, approximately 18% of adults smoke, and over 30% report regular alcohol use—a figure paired with declining levels of physical activity, especially in urban areas. Officials from the Department of Disease Control note that this combination is a primary driver behind Thailand’s growing burden of NCDs, which now account for more than 75% of all deaths in the country (WHO Thailand).
“In Thai culture, social drinking and tobacco use still hold a strong presence in many social gatherings, and the idea that the health risks only show up in one’s later years is unfortunately misleading,” commented a health policy analyst at a major Bangkok medical university. “This study makes it clear: the impact is happening much sooner, and young professionals and university graduates in their 20s and 30s are not immune.”
International context reinforces these findings. Large-scale cohort studies in both Asia and the West, such as the UK Biobank study, have found similar links between early adulthood risky behaviors and diminished health in subsequent decades (BMJ, 2020). The new research aligns with these global trends, but its direct implication for Thai demographics is particularly acute, given the country’s rapidly aging population and increasing healthcare pressures.
For many young Thais, academic and professional pressures, combined with urban lifestyles that favor convenience foods and screen-based entertainment, have led to sedentary routines. A health promotion specialist at the Ministry of Public Health noted, “Younger generations are developing habits that could have severe consequences within just a decade or two. This should be a national wake-up call to invest in campus wellness, smoke-free initiatives, and alcohol control policies.”
School health programs in Thailand have made headway, especially in major cities where campaigns now introduce the dangers of smoking and drinking at a young age. Still, anecdotal evidence suggests that high-stress study environments, particularly in elite high schools and universities, may encourage unhealthy coping mechanisms. “It starts with social smoking or weekend drinking in university,” observed a university health services director, “but this study shows the results appear much earlier than anyone expects.”
Looking forward, experts suggest a shift in messaging—from emphasizing long-term consequences to spotlighting short-term impacts that resonate with young adults. Thai digital influencers and celebrities, many of whom are popular with those in their late teens and twenties, could play a pivotal role in campaigns that personalize health risks. Furthermore, urban planners and employers can contribute by promoting active transport, outdoor recreation, and workplace wellness.
Practical recommendations for Thai readers of all ages include: setting personal limits on alcohol consumption, seeking smoke-free environments, using smartphone apps to track step counts or physical activity, and participating in community-based wellness programs. Local governments can expand access to affordable recreation centers, and schools can incorporate movement breaks and stress management modules into the daily curriculum.
For more information, readers can review the original MedicalXpress report on this research (MedicalXpress, April 2025) and consult the World Health Organization’s guidelines on recommended alcohol limits, tobacco cessation, and physical activity (WHO Guidelines).
As health leaders in Thailand and around the world adapt to the evidence that harm from risky behaviors starts early, the call for lifestyle change is growing louder. The message for Thai society is clear: prevention cannot wait until middle age—it must begin now, or the next generation could face avoidable health crises before the age of 40.