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

Key Points

• Committee: Legislation and Judiciary Committee, National Assembly
• Date: November 26, 2025
• Purpose: Extend tobacco definition to include synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes
• Retail Support:

1. Two-year grace period for retailer distance regulations
2. Government assistance for business transition

• Tax & Regulation:

1. Temporary tax relief for vape businesses
2. Government to assess toxicity of “nicotine-like” products before distribution

• Next Step: Final approval expected in the plenary session on November 27, concluding a nine-year debate.

2Firsts, November 26, 2025 — According to Edaily,South Korea’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly has approved an amendment to the Tobacco Business Act that includes synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes within the legal definition of tobacco.

The bipartisan decision marks the end of nearly nine years of legislative debate over how to regulate synthetic nicotine products, which had remained outside existing tobacco laws.

Under the revised law, tobacco is now defined as any product “manufactured using nicotine as a raw material,” thereby bringing synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes under tobacco regulation. However, products classified as medicines or quasi-drugs under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act — such as nicotine gum — are explicitly excluded.

The amendment primarily aims to protect youth and public health by closing loopholes that allowed the sale of unregulated synthetic nicotine vapes.

To prevent sudden business disruptions, lawmakers included a two-year grace period for vape retailers affected by the new licensing distance rules and directed the government to provide career transition support for industry workers.

In addition, the government will explore temporary tax relief measures for small vape sellers, considering that immediate taxation could impact livelihoods. The Ministry of Economy and Finance was also instructed to conduct toxicity assessments of “nicotine-like substances” to determine their safety and market eligibility.

Further provisions establish preferential licensing opportunities for veterans and persons with disabilities and sanctions against unauthorized lending of retailer licenses.

During deliberations, lawmakers Kim Gi-pyo (Democratic Party) and Na Kyung-won (People Power Party) proposed minor revisions, such as shortening the implementation grace period from six months to four, to prevent pre-regulation stockpiling.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol (구윤철) emphasized the urgency of reform:

“We must quickly bring synthetic and similar nicotine products under the legal framework,” he said. “We will also conduct pre-launch safety assessments to minimize side effects.”

The bill will be submitted to the National Assembly plenary session on November 27 for final approval, marking a significant milestone in Korea’s tobacco control policy.

Image source: Edaily