South Korea Imposes Age Verification for E-Cigarette Sales, Fines Up to $14,000

Nov.27.2024
South Korea Imposes Age Verification for E-Cigarette Sales, Fines Up to $14,000
South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Bans E-Cigarette Sales, Imposes Up to 2 Years in Prison or $14,000 Fine for Violations; Strengthens Online and Offline Sales Monitoring in Collaboration with the Korean E-Cigarette Association to Prevent Sales to Minors

The South Korean Ministry of Gender Equality and Family reiterated that selling e-cigarettes to adolescents could result in penalties, according to a report by N.News on November 26th.

 

The department emphasized that age and identity verification must be conducted when selling e-cigarettes. If sold to minors, violators can be punished in accordance with Article 59 of the Youth Protection Act, with penalties including up to two years in prison or a fine of not more than 20 million Korean won (14,000 dollars).

 

The department is continuing to strengthen its supervision of both online and offline venues, providing guidance and inspections to e-cigarette vendors. It is also requesting the Korean e-cigarette association to increase cooperation efforts in order to collectively promote the implementation of the ban on sales to youth.

 

Regular age and identity verification checks will be conducted on online sales platforms. If violations are found, corrective measures will be taken, such as issuing rectification orders, to ensure that minors cannot easily access e-cigarette products.

 

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is one of South Korea's central administrative agencies and is the government department responsible for policies related to women, youth, and families.

 

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

Philippine Customs Seizes $2.22 Million in Misdeclared Vape Products From China
Philippine Customs Seizes $2.22 Million in Misdeclared Vape Products From China
The Philippine Bureau of Customs said it intercepted nine containers of misdeclared vape and vape-related products from China at the Manila International Container Port, with an estimated value of about ₱137 millionor, about $2.22 million.
Jul.10
Altria’s USSTC to Close Nashville Plant and Shift Operations to Kentucky by 2028
Altria’s USSTC to Close Nashville Plant and Shift Operations to Kentucky by 2028
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC), a subsidiary of Altria Group, announced plans to close its Nashville manufacturing facility by 2028 and consolidate production operations at a new facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
Market
Jun.02
Haypp Report: Women Emerge as a Key Growth Driver in the UK Nicotine Pouch Market
Haypp Report: Women Emerge as a Key Growth Driver in the UK Nicotine Pouch Market
According to Haypp’s 2026 UK Nicotine Report, women are a key growth driver in the UK nicotine pouch market. Overall sales for Haypp and Northerner rose 60% year‑on‑year in 2025, but purchases by women surged 202%, versus 25% for men. Women’s share of consumers jumped from 22% to 40%. The report attributes this to discretion, perceived health benefits, and more gender‑neutral product positioning, suggesting future growth will come from a broader range of adult nicotine users.
Jul.01
U.S. Military Nicotine Policy Sparks Debate as Nicotine Pouches Enter Discussion
U.S. Military Nicotine Policy Sparks Debate as Nicotine Pouches Enter Discussion
An opinion article published by Stars and Stripes argued that the Pentagon’s January nicotine clinical guidelines overemphasize abstinence, fail to reflect the reality that about 30% of active-duty personnel use nicotine, and do not address nicotine pouches as potential harm-reduction products.
Industry Insight
Jun.08
Illegal Vape Sellers Still Use TikTok and Other Platforms to Drive Sales Despite Australia’s Ad Ban
Illegal Vape Sellers Still Use TikTok and Other Platforms to Drive Sales Despite Australia’s Ad Ban
Illegal vape sellers are still promoting nicotine products on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube despite Australia’s 2024 advertising ban, while illicit tobacco sales are increasingly moving from physical stores to online marketplaces.
Jul.15
AIR Shares Drop 18.6% in Nasdaq Debut, Testing Hookah’s Move Toward Public Markets
AIR Shares Drop 18.6% in Nasdaq Debut, Testing Hookah’s Move Toward Public Markets
AIR Global’s Nasdaq debut under ticker AIIR ended with a 18.6% first-day decline, giving the global hookah industry a rare public-market reference point. Beyond one company’s share move, the listing raises a broader question: can a culturally rooted, fragmented and venue-based category evolve into a more scalable and investable consumer sector?
Special Report
May.19