Key Points
- Starting from February 15, 2026, South Korea will ban the installation of e-cigarette vending machines within 200 meters of schools.
- The ban will also extend to all nicotine products, including heated tobacco and e-cigarettes.
- Existing vending machines must be removed by 2029.
- The age at which teenagers first try e-cigarettes has decreased to 13.7 years old, leading to an increase in usage rates.
In a report by the Ulsan Daily News on October 14, 2025, the South Korean Ministry of Education announced that starting on February 15, 2026, the setting up of e-cigarette vending machines within a 200-meter radius of schools and kindergartens nationwide will be prohibited. This measure is aimed at preventing easy access to nicotine products by young people.
The Education Support Bureau of North Ulsan recently conducted inspections at 40 out of 180 schools and confirmed that there are currently no e-cigarette vending machines near school campuses. The education department stated that they will continue to conduct comprehensive investigations and implement a reporting system to reduce opportunities for teenagers to access e-cigarettes.
According to the revised "Education Environmental Protection Law," the ban on e-cigarette vending machines has been expanded from traditional cigarettes to include all nicotine-containing products, including heated tobacco and e-cigarettes. The restricted areas have also been expanded from primary, middle, and high schools to include areas around kindergartens.
According to current regulations, vending machines are strictly prohibited within 50 meters of schools, and their placement within 200 meters must be approved by the Education Environment Protection Committee. E-cigarette vending machines that are already installed must undergo review by February 14, 2027, or they will be shut down and removed by 2029.
According to data from the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the average age of adolescents trying e-cigarettes for the first time has decreased from 14.4 years in 2021 to 13.7 years in 2024. The usage rate of e-cigarettes has also increased from 1.9% in 2020 to 3.0% in 2024.
Image source: Ulsan Daily News
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
