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

Over 92,000 kg of Nicotine Products Seized at Ambassador Bridge

The Canada Border Services Agency seized 92,270 kilograms of undeclared nicotine products at the Ambassador Bridge over four days, according to a social media post. The confiscated items included vapes, tins, and pouches. Officials stated the seizure helps prevent profits from reaching organized crime groups.

Dec.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Costa Rica Ruling Party Lawmaker Proposes Vape Ban as Experts Warn of Black Market Risks

A lawmaker from Costa Rica’s ruling party has introduced a bill to completely ban e-cigarettes and related products, covering their import, sale, use, and manufacturing, citing rising youth use and associated health risks. The proposal would repeal the current regulatory law and has raised concerns that a full ban, combined with weak enforcement, could fuel a black market.

Dec.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Maldives Customs Report Vape Fines Reach US$42.8 Million, Mostly from Malaysia Imports

Maldives Customs data shows that fines related to illegal vapes have reached MVR 659 million (about US$42.8 million) since the country banned the import and use of electronic cigarettes. Authorities said most seized vapes were brought in by travellers arriving from Malaysia. The largest single case involved 10,800 vapes, resulting in a fine of MVR 108 million (about US$7.02 million).

Dec.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai

BAT Subsidiary Warns of Surge in Illegal Nicotine Pouches in Canada, Calls for Unified Regulatory Framework

Imperial Tobacco Canada, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, has urged the federal government to respond to the spread of illegal nicotine pouches by allowing approved products to be sold through a wider range of adult retail channels. The company is also calling for stronger retail inspections, enhanced digital tracking, and closer coordination among provinces to build a consistent regulatory framework and restore the accessibility of the legal market.