Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Home
Company
Product
Regulation
China
Data
Exhibition
Interview
中文版
Search

South Korea Formalizes Harmful Substance Controls for Cigarettes and E-cigarettes

Dec.18.2025
South Korea Formalizes Harmful Substance Controls for Cigarettes and E-cigarettes
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has issued a notice establishing testing items and methods for harmful substances in tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Key Points

 

  • South Korea issued a notice specifying harmful substance testing for tobacco products;
  • Cigarettes and heated tobacco products must test 44 components, including nicotine and tar;
  • Liquid e-cigarettes are required to test 20 components;
  • Manufacturers and importers must submit test results to authorities;
  • Testing methods are based on WHO and ISO standards.

 

 

2Firsts, December 18, 2025 – According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), South Korea has issued a notice specifying the harmful substances subject to testing and the corresponding testing methods for tobacco products.

 

Under the notice, cigarettes and heated tobacco products are required to test 44 substances, including nicotine and tar. Liquid e-cigarettes are required to test 20 substances, such as nicotine, propylene glycol, and glycerin. The testing methods were developed with reference to standard methods established by international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

 

The notice was prepared following deliberation by the Tobacco Harmful Substance Management Policy Committee and review by the Regulatory Reform Committee, in accordance with the Tobacco Harmful Substance Management Act.

 

Tobacco manufacturers and importers are required to commission harmful substance testing for each product from laboratories designated by the MFDS and submit the results to the authority.

 

The MFDS said it is developing additional testing methods to improve the accuracy of harmful substance analysis and plans to gradually strengthen tobacco product oversight based on scientific evidence. The notice is expected to serve as an institutional foundation for systematic management of tobacco harmful substances and enhanced public health protection.

 

Image source: Dailian

 

References:
[1] 담배 유해성분 검사 기준 확정…궐련·전자담배 관리 강화
Also Read:
[1] South Korea Implements Public Tobacco Harmfulness Management Program, Including 22 Harmful Components in 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

China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact
China Tobacco Regulation Shift：Policy Updates and Market Impact
UK, Jersey and Guernsey to Ban Disposable Vapes From Jan. 31 as Island Sell-Through Window Closes
UK, Jersey and Guernsey to Ban Disposable Vapes From Jan. 31 as Island Sell-Through Window Closes
Jersey and Guernsey will enforce a full ban on disposable vapes from Saturday, 31 January 2026, making it illegal for shops to sell them after close of business. Online purchases shipped into the islands will also be targeted, with Guernsey’s Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink saying Customs will conduct checks and can seize imported disposables. Refillable vapes are not covered by the ban.
Jan.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia’s Perak Health Department says seized vape-related items valued at RM2,738 during two-week operation
Malaysia’s Perak Health Department says seized vape-related items valued at RM2,738 during two-week operation
Malaysia’s Perak State Health Department said it carried out a two-week joint enforcement operation from January 1 to 14, 2026, in line with the state government’s policy prohibiting renewals of vape sales licences effective January 1.
Jan.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine: counterfeit nicotine mixes and e-cigarette e-liquids seized, valued at over US$276,000
Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine: counterfeit nicotine mixes and e-cigarette e-liquids seized, valued at over US$276,000
According to UNN, law enforcement in Ukraine’s Khmelnytskyi region disrupted a group accused of selling illegally produced nicotine-containing mixtures and e-cigarette e-liquids without licenses or permits. The Prosecutor General’s Office said the overall value of the seized items exceeds UAH 12 million (about US$276,000). Motions were filed to arrest the seized property, and decisions are pending on necessary forensic examinations. (FX used: 1 UAH = US$0.023, as provided by the user.)
Jan.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Heated tobacco brand DIITO launches in Mongolia
Heated tobacco brand DIITO launches in Mongolia
A new heat-not-burn (HNB) brand, DIITO, has commenced promotional activities in the Mongolian market. The device features an integrated display panel and supports dual heating modes, "RELAX" and "RUSH." Investigations reveal that DIITO’s local promotion closely overlaps with RELX’s official distribution channels. Furthermore, the DIITO trademark is held by the UK-based REAZEN TECH LIMITED, a company that also manages the e-cigarette brand FASTA.
Jan.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
China Further Tightens E-Cigarette Capacity and Investment Controls, Supply Chain Faces Stronger Regulation and Accelerated Shakeout
China Further Tightens E-Cigarette Capacity and Investment Controls, Supply Chain Faces Stronger Regulation and Accelerated Shakeout
China is tightening controls over e-cigarette production capacity and investment as regulators move to curb disorderly competition and address oversupply risks, a new policy framework released on December 25 shows, signaling stronger oversight and a faster shakeout across the country’s e-cigarette supply chain, according to first-hand reporting by 2Firsts.
Dec.25
2Firsts Interview | Prague Move Puts Eastern Europe in Focus for Nicotine Industry Event EVO NXT
2Firsts Interview | Prague Move Puts Eastern Europe in Focus for Nicotine Industry Event EVO NXT
EVO NXT will move to Prague in April 2026. As an event’s official media partner for four consecutive years, 2Firsts recently interviewed the organisers, who said the relocation reflects strong growth in Eastern European markets for alternative nicotine products. They described EVO NXT as not a traditional trade fair but a business festival shaped by rapid changes in regulation, markets and technological innovation across the global nicotine industry.
Feb.03
Related Topics
News Regulation
Related Read
UK, Jersey and Guernsey to Ban Disposable Vapes From Jan. 31 as Island Sell-Through Window Closes
UK, Jersey and Guernsey to Ban Disposable Vapes From Jan. 31 as Island Sell-Through Window Closes
2FIRSTS.ai
Malaysia’s Perak Health Department says seized vape-related items valued at RM2,738 during two-week operation
Malaysia’s Perak Health Department says seized vape-related items valued at RM2,738 during two-week operation
2FIRSTS.ai
Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine: counterfeit nicotine mixes and e-cigarette e-liquids seized, valued at over US$276,000
Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine: counterfeit nicotine mixes and e-cigarette e-liquids seized, valued at over US$276,000
2FIRSTS.ai
Heated tobacco brand DIITO launches in Mongolia
Heated tobacco brand DIITO launches in Mongolia
2FIRSTS.ai
China Further Tightens E-Cigarette Capacity and Investment Controls, Supply Chain Faces Stronger Regulation and Accelerated Shakeout
China Further Tightens E-Cigarette Capacity and Investment Controls, Supply Chain Faces Stronger Regulation and Accelerated Shakeout
2Firsts Interview | Prague Move Puts Eastern Europe in Focus for Nicotine Industry Event EVO NXT
2Firsts Interview | Prague Move Puts Eastern Europe in Focus for Nicotine Industry Event EVO NXT
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Contact: info@2firsts.com
Stay up to date.
Submit your email to receive weekly newsletter on the most relevant news of the e-cigarette industry.
© 2026 2FIRSTS. All Right Reserved.
2FIRSTS is only accessible to industry practitioners, researchers, media and other professionals. Access by minors is prohibited.
This website provides services to users outside the Chinese mainland.
English
English
中文