Key Takeaways
- Seoul said that from April 24, use of all tobacco products, including liquid e-cigarettes, in no-smoking areas will be subject to a fine of up to KRW 100,000 (approximately USD 2,300.00, based on 1 KRW = 0.023 USD).
- The city will run a publicity and guidance period of about two weeks from April 13 to April 23 to inform citizens and tobacco retailers about the legal changes.
- Seoul plans a three-week inspection campaign from April 24 to May 15 targeting unmanned vape outlets and designated tobacco retailers.
- A joint inspection team made up of Seoul city departments and district authorities will include 16 teams and 32 personnel.
2Firsts, April 9, 2026
According to Seoul City, all tobacco products, including liquid e-cigarettes, will become subject to fines if used in no-smoking areas from April 24, when the revised Tobacco Business Act takes effect, and Seoul said it will actively inform citizens of the changes while launching on-site inspections.
Liquid e-cigarettes will be fully covered by no-smoking area penalties from April 24
The report said that until now, liquid e-cigarettes made with synthetic nicotine were not classified as legal “tobacco,” which meant that even if users were caught in no-smoking areas, fines could be canceled once the product was confirmed to be a liquid e-cigarette. The report also said there had been criticism of a regulatory blind spot because such products had been sold and promoted online and offline without major restrictions.
With the legal revision, that exception will disappear. Going forward, use of all tobacco products, including liquid e-cigarettes, in no-smoking areas will be punishable by a fine of up to KRW 100,000 (approximately USD 2,300.00, based on 1 KRW = 0.023 USD).
Seoul will begin with a two-week publicity and guidance period
Seoul said it will strengthen advance public guidance to minimize confusion in the early implementation stage. From April 13 to April 23, the city plans to operate a publicity and guidance period of about two weeks. During that time, it will distribute posters explaining the legal revisions and provide focused guidance to tobacco retailers and citizens.
Inspections will run from April 24 to May 15
Seoul said it will then begin full inspections for three weeks from April 24 to May 15, focusing on unmanned vape shops and vape retailers designated as tobacco sellers. Major inspection points include tobacco vending machine operations, sales to minors, and compliance with tobacco advertising and labeling standards.
To improve enforcement effectiveness, Seoul said it will organize joint city-district inspection teams. The teams will include staff from the city’s Health Management Division, Youth Policy Division, Fair Economy Division, Economic Investigation Division, and district offices, with 16 teams and 32 personnel carrying out field-based inspections.
Youth protection and age-verification devices will be a priority
The city said it will place particular emphasis on checking whether e-cigarettes and harmful substances are being sold to minors, whether unmanned vape vending machines are equipped with adult verification devices, and whether signs banning sales to minors are properly displayed.
Seoul is also strengthening smoking cessation support
The report said that as management of no-smoking areas becomes stricter, Seoul continues to maintain relatively strong public health indicators related to smoking. According to the 2025 Community Health Survey released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Seoul’s current smoking rate was 14.90%, lower than the national average of 17.90%, while the quit-attempt rate among current smokers was 43.90%, higher than the national average of 40.60%.
Seoul said it will also use the legal revision as an opportunity to strengthen smoking cessation support through its “Wrist Doctor 9988” service.
Through the app’s “Smoking Cessation Clinic in My Hand,” users can register for nearby public health center smoking cessation clinics and receive structured support through professional counseling and programs.
Image source: Seoul City
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
