BAT to Launch Synthetic Nicotine e-Cigarette in South Korea

Sep.23.2024

BAT plans to release a synthetic nicotine e-cigarette named "Nomad" in South Korea, taking advantage of legal loopholes there.

According to N.News on September 23rd, British American Tobacco (BAT) announced that they will be releasing a synthetic nicotine e-cigarette in November.

British American Tobacco's South Korean subsidiary revealed on the 23rd that its synthetic nicotine e-cigarette, named "Nomad", has applied for a trademark and is scheduled to be officially launched in November.

BAT hinted as early as May of this year that it was planning to launch this new product. Currently, South Korea will be the only country in the world to sell this synthetic nicotine e-cigarette.

Industry insiders believe that BAT is interested in South Korea due to the lack of clear legal regulations on synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes in the country. According to current tobacco laws in South Korea, only products made from tobacco leaves are recognized, so synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes are not considered traditional tobacco products. This allows them to be sold online and to minors without restrictions.

In addition, these synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes are not subject to taxation, which means their prices may be lower than regular tobacco and traditional e-cigarettes.

According to reports, discussions regarding legal amendments in South Korea have been stalled. During the 21st National Assembly session, four bills aimed at expanding the definition of tobacco to include synthetic nicotine products were proposed, but were ultimately scrapped as the parliamentary term came to an end. In the 22nd National Assembly, there are currently five related bills proposed.

References:

[1] BAT, 11월 한국서 합성 니코틴 액상담배 출시…"규제 공백 노려"

Also Read:

[1] BAT Presents Innovative Vuse Go Device at InterTabac Expo

[2] BAT Delays Launch of Synthetic Nicotine E-cigarette to Q4.

[3] South Korea Faces Tax Loss and Teen Vaping Issue

[4] Supporting Amendment to Classify Synthetic Nicotine as Tobacco: Asia Time

[5] Korean Government Plans to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine Products

[6] South Korea Considers Taxation on Synthetic Nicotine Products

[7] Korean Government Plans to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine E-cigarettes

[8] The Danger of Synthetic Nicotine E-cigarettes in South Korea

[9] Booming Consulting Industry for Synthetic Nicotine E-cigarettes in Korea

#Legislation #Asia #South Korea #Synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

2Firsts Observations | Two Months After Launch, BAT’s VELO Shift Draws Attention for Non-Traditional Design as Some Users Call for Higher Nicotine Strength

British American Tobacco (BAT) introduced the VELO Shift nicotine pouch in September 2025, featuring a hexagonal outer can and an oval-triangle pouch shape that departs from traditional designs. Two months after launch, the product is available in the U.K., U.S. and Sweden. Social-media feedback indicates the design has been well received, while some users are calling for higher nicotine strength.

Nov.06 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }

Morrisons Partners with Vape Retailer to Open Concessions in 400+ Stores

According to The Grocer, Morrisons has reached an agreement with The E-Cig Store to open vaping concessions in more than 400 supermarkets. The first unit will open next month in Rotherham. The deal will expand compliant vaping product offerings and follows Morrisons’ ongoing cooperation with rival retailer VPZ.

Nov.28 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }

Russia’s State Duma May Soon Consider Full Ban on Vape Sales

Russia’s State Duma will soon consider a proposal to impose a complete ban on the sale of vapes. The move follows President Vladimir Putin’s endorsement of a nationwide prohibition. Lawmaker Aleksey Volotskov said vape use has surged by 52% since early 2025, with illegal products now dominating 80% of the market.

Nov.11 by { "username": "", "position": "", "avatar": "", "auth": "", "seo_url": "" }

Russian Region Targets Youth Vaping and Night Alcohol Sales

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Region said efforts to curb night-time alcohol sales and the spread of e-cigarettes will continue in 2026. While illegal alcohol trade has largely been eliminated, youth vaping remains a major concern. Regional authorities are seeking federal approval to allow local governments to impose stricter restrictions on vape sales, alongside increased health education initiatives.