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

Dec.18

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

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