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

Nov.27.2024

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.

References:

[1] "액상형 전자담배 청소년 판매, 2년 이하 징역 처벌받습니다"

Also Read:

[1] South Korea Groups Rally for Swift Passage of Synthetic Nicotine Vape Regulation

[2] South Korea Youth Smoking Falls by One-Third in 20 Years, Vape Use Steady

[3] South Korean Lawmakers Propose Warning Labels and Graphics on Vape Devices

[4] Seoul Consumer Group Urges Fast Passage of Tobacco Law to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine

[5] South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance Denies Pushing for Amendments to Tobacco Business Act or Tax Measures to Fill Fiscal Gap

[6] National Cancer Center Korea to Include E-cigarettes in Lung Cancer Screening from Next Year

[7] Seoul Metropolitan Council Addresses Regulatory Gaps in Vape Industry as Youth Usage Surges

#Asia #Open system e-cigarettes #Regulation #South Korea

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

California DOJ Outlines Next Steps for Unflavored Tobacco List; Enforcement to Target “Obviously Flavored” Products

The California DOJ issued Information Bulletin No. 2025-DLE-17 on November 10, 2025, providing an update on the state’s flavored tobacco enforcement. The Attorney General’s office is set to launch the Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL) by December 31, 2025, identifying tobacco products without characterizing flavors that may legally be sold in California. Enforcement will continue to focus on “obviously flavored” products, while unregistered products remain subject to seizure and penalties.

Nov.17 by 2FIRSTS.ai

South Korea Signs Agreement to Recycle PMK E-Cigarette Devices via Postal System

South Korea will introduce a postal-based collection system for electronic cigarette devices, allowing consumers to dispose of used devices through nationwide mailboxes or post office counters. Relevant government bodies and private partners have signed a cooperation agreement to address the lack of clear disposal standards for e-cigarette devices.

Dec.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Imperial Brands FY25 Results: NGP Net Revenue Up 13.7%, Americas Surges Nearly 70%

Imperial Brands reported FY25 NGP net revenue of £368 million, up 13.7% at constant currency. Growth in the Americas accelerated sharply, with NGP revenue up 69.8%, driven by the expansion of the modern oral brand Zone. Europe delivered 8.8% growth, supported by blu’s double-digit vapour share across key markets. Adjusted NGP operating losses narrowed to £76 million, putting the category closer to breakeven.

Nov.18 by 2FIRSTS.ai

South Korea National Assembly Approves Bill to Regulate E-Cigarettes Under Tobacco Law After Nine Years of Debate

South Korea’s National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed a long-debated amendment to the Tobacco Business Act on November 26, expanding the legal definition of tobacco to include synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes. The amendment aims to end the regulatory blind spot surrounding such products while ensuring transitional support for vape retailers and a grace period for compliance.