South Korea to regulate synthetic-nicotine e-liquids as tobacco from April 24

Key Points

• From April 24, synthetic-nicotine e-liquid vapes will be regulated as “tobacco,” the same as cigarettes
• Korea expands the statutory definition of tobacco for the first time in 37 years
• Graphic and text warnings required on packs and in permitted ads
• Advertising allowed only in limited settings (periodicals, sponsorships, inside retail stores, international aircraft/ships)
• No flavor cues (words/images/photos) on packs or ads if flavoring agents are present
• Tobacco vending machines restricted to designated retailers, limited locations, and must include adult-verification
• All tobacco products, including e-liquids, barred from smoke-free areas
• Compliance inspections to begin from late April, coordinated with local authorities

2Firsts, Feb. 3, 2026

According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare said Tuesday that amendments to the Tobacco Business Act will take effect on April 24, bringing synthetic-nicotine e-liquid vaping products under the same regulatory umbrella as cigarettes.

The ministry said tobacco controls under the National Health Promotion Act apply to products defined as “tobacco” under the Tobacco Business Act. Until now, the law’s definition centered on products made from tobacco leaf, leaving synthetic-nicotine e-liquids outside the tobacco category and creating a regulatory gap.

Under the revised law, the definition expands to broadly cover tobacco- and nicotine-based products. With the change—described as the first expansion of the tobacco definition since the Tobacco Business Act was enacted 37 years ago—e-liquid vapes and other products will be subject to the same rules applied to cigarettes.

Manufacturers and importers will be required to place graphic and text health warnings on packaging and in tobacco advertising. Tobacco advertising will be permitted only in limited channels, including periodicals, event sponsorships, inside retail stores, and on international aircraft and passenger ships.

Where flavoring agents are present, the law bars the use of wording, graphics, or photos on packaging or advertising that signal those flavors. Tobacco vending machines will be limited to retailers designated under the Tobacco Business Act and cannot be installed in areas off-limits to those under 19, outside retail premises, or in locations other than smoking rooms. Adult-verification devices will be mandatory.

For consumers, the ministry said smoke-free areas will prohibit the use of all tobacco products, including e-liquid vapes. Enforcement checks targeting retailers, manufacturers, and importers are expected to begin from late April, with local authorities tasked with stepped-up patrols and smoke-free compliance.

Image source: Yonhap News Agency