According to V. Daum's report on February 10, the proposed legislation regulating synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes did not pass in a subcommittee meeting of the South Korean parliament.
A legislative proposal discussed by the Subcommittee on Economic and Fiscal Affairs of the Congressional Planning and Finance Committee aims to expand the definition of tobacco by amending the Tobacco Business Law in order to regulate tobacco products containing synthetic nicotine. However, the proposal failed to receive approval and remains shelved.
The proposed 10 amendments to the Tobacco Business Act were submitted by members including Park Sung-hoon of the People Power Party. The amendments expand the definition of tobacco raw materials from "tobacco leaves" to "tobacco leaves and nicotine.
According to sources within Congress, some lawmakers are skeptical of the government's research on the harm of synthetic nicotine, pointing out that this could impact the survival of e-cigarette businesses and therefore oppose regulations.
The Economic and Fiscal Subcommittee of the Planning Finance Committee plans to further discuss the retail store distance restrictions, price increases, and operator losses after consulting the Planning Finance Department.
According to the current "Tobacco Industry Law," the term "tobacco" only refers to products made from tobacco leaves, so synthetic nicotine does not fall under the category of "tobacco." It is not subject to tobacco taxes and additional fees, nor is it constrained by warning labels, advertising restrictions, online sales limits, and other laws and regulations. Even if it is sold to minors, there are no penalties.
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