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

Japan Tobacco Launches Limited-Edition “Purple Dusk” Colorway for Ploom AURA, Priced at JPY 2,980
Japan Tobacco Launches Limited-Edition “Purple Dusk” Colorway for Ploom AURA, Priced at JPY 2,980
Japan Tobacco has launched the fourth installment of its limited-color series for the Ploom AURA heated-tobacco device, unveiling “Purple Dusk” . Priced at JPY 2,980 (about USD 18.7, tax included), it goes on limited early sale via official channels from Jan 13, before rolling out to convenience stores and other retail outlets across Japan from Jan 20.
Jan.13 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Kazakhstan’s Astana Baikonur District Fines Illegal Smokeless Tobacco Sales Over USD 5,800
Kazakhstan’s Astana Baikonur District Fines Illegal Smokeless Tobacco Sales Over USD 5,800
Authorities in Astana’s Baikonur District have intensified enforcement against illegal smokeless tobacco and related products in 2025. Police conducted 59 inspection raids, identifying 63 cases of illegal sales of smokeless tobacco (nasvay). Total fines imposed reached KZT 3,096,450(approximately USD 5,880). Officials said inspections and preventive outreach will continue.
Dec.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jordan Cuts Taxes on Heated Tobacco and E-cigarettes
Jordan Cuts Taxes on Heated Tobacco and E-cigarettes
Jordan has amended its 2025 Special Tax Law, introducing a package of tax reductions on heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Published in the Official Gazette, the changes take effect Monday morning and include a 50% cut in taxes on heated tobacco devices, as well as significant reductions on e-cigarette hardware and liquids. The move is expected to have an immediate impact on retail prices.
Dec.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Singapore’s Underground Vape Chain Revealed:How Dispatchers, Telegram Groups, and Small “Online Shops” Form an Operating Model
Singapore’s Underground Vape Chain Revealed:How Dispatchers, Telegram Groups, and Small “Online Shops” Form an Operating Model
A vape-related case reported by The Straits Times illustrates the typical operating methods of Singapore’s underground vape trade, including Telegram-based “online shops,” centrally coordinated scheduling, and small-volume, fragmented deliveries. The case highlights the segmented and concealed nature of the country’s black-market vape network. Drawing on the report, 2Firsts uses this case as a sample to map out the structure and operational patterns of Singapore’s underground vape chain.
Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Finland’s Ostrobothnia Police Seize Over 6,000 E-Cigarettes in Vaasa Raid, Probe Cross-Border Supply
Finland’s Ostrobothnia Police Seize Over 6,000 E-Cigarettes in Vaasa Raid, Probe Cross-Border Supply
According to a statement from Finland’s Ostrobothnia Police, officers seized more than 6,000 e-cigarettes during a home search in the Haapaniemi area of Vaasa in early January, after the case surfaced in connection with drug enforcement work.Police suspect the products were ordered from abroad for resale in Finland and were marketed and sold via Telegram.
Jan.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Poland to ban “characterising flavours” in heated tobacco sticks from Jan. 18, 2026
Poland to ban “characterising flavours” in heated tobacco sticks from Jan. 18, 2026
Poland will implement an amended health protection law on January 18, 2026, restricting the availability of tobacco inserts used in heated tobacco devices. The new rules prohibit products with a “characterising flavour,” meaning a clearly noticeable taste or smell other than tobacco, derived from additives and detectable before or during use.
Jan.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai