According to AFP BB News on October 13th, the South Korean parliament is actively working towards regulating synthetic nicotine, with particular attention being paid to the setting of e-cigarette tax rates.
According to data from the South Korean National Assembly Legislative Information System, as of September 30, six proposals to amend the Tobacco Business Act have been submitted to the parliament. These proposals aim to regulate synthetic nicotine.
The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy and Finance are currently studying the possibility of defining synthetic nicotine as tobacco. Once these amendments are passed, all products containing synthetic nicotine will be considered tobacco and subject to both pricing and non-pricing regulations.
However, the e-cigarette industry strongly opposes this. Under the current tax system based on weight, the price of a 30ml e-liquid nicotine product could soar from 20,000 Korean Won (15 USD) to 70,000 Korean Won (52 USD) to 100,000 Korean Won (74 USD). As a result, the industry advocates for the tax system to shift from being based on e-liquid capacity to being based on price.
Experts say that if a uniform tax system is implemented for products with different nicotine levels, the open system market will face a significant impact. At the same time, British American Tobacco, planning to launch synthetic nicotine product "Nomad" in November, is closely monitoring regulatory trends. In response to criticism over using regulatory loopholes to sell products, the company stated it supports appropriate regulation of synthetic nicotine products.
The Korea Health Promotion Development Institute emphasized that current laws do not provide a legal basis for regulating synthetic nicotine. From a perspective of safeguarding public health, all tobacco products require similar regulatory measures.
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
