South Korea to Tighten Synthetic Nicotine Regulations: Reclassifies as Tobacco, Bans Online Sales and Flavor Additives

Jun.13
South Korea to Tighten Synthetic Nicotine Regulations: Reclassifies as Tobacco, Bans Online Sales and Flavor Additives
The South Korean National Assembly has proposed expanding the definition of tobacco, restricting online sales of e-cigarettes, and tightening regulations on synthetic nicotine in an effort to protect youth health.

Key Points:

 

·The South Korean National Assembly agency has proposed strengthening regulations on synthetic nicotine. 

 

·The rising rate of e-cigarette use among teenagers has raised concerns in society.

 

·Legislative proposals include banning online e-cigarette transactions. 

 

·There are calls to revise relevant laws to protect the health of teenagers.

 


 

According to a report by South Korea's "Asian Economy" on June 12th, as the trend of teenagers using e-cigarettes continues to rise, the Legislation Investigation Office of the National Assembly of South Korea has proposed that synthetic nicotine, which is currently in a regulatory blind spot, should be included in tobacco regulations.

 

The legislative body recently released a report suggesting amendments to the Tobacco Industry Law to broaden the definition of "tobacco" and ban online sales of e-cigarettes. Current law only considers naturally nicotine-containing products made from "tobacco leaves" as tobacco, leaving most liquid e-cigarettes that use synthetic nicotine outside the legal definition of tobacco. This loophole allows them to avoid tobacco taxes and online sales restrictions.

 

The report recommends expanding the definition of "tobacco" to include products made from nicotine, prohibiting online trading of synthetic nicotine, and strengthening regulation. The report also mentions that countries and regions such as the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union have already regulated synthetic nicotine and banned the addition of flavors in order to prevent youth access to e-cigarettes.

 

Previously, the South Korean National Assembly has had several proposed bills to expand the definition of tobacco in order to regulate synthetic nicotine, which have been discussed in the National Assembly Planning and Finance Committee, but have not yet been passed.

 

The Legislative Investigation Bureau warned, "With the rapid expansion of unmanned e-cigarette sales points, public concerns about adolescent e-cigarette use are increasing." They suggested that regulations in the National Health Promotion Law regarding automatic cigarette vending machines should be applied to prevent the disorderly expansion of such unmanned sales points. In addition, they recommended that legislation should mandate the introduction of adult authentication devices equipped with identity theft prevention technology and amend the Youth Protection Act.

 

The organization also proposed banning the use of sweeteners or flavorings in the manufacturing of synthetic nicotine products, as many teenagers have started smoking due to flavored e-cigarettes.

 

At the same time, it is necessary for the government to make efforts to strengthen self-regulation by businesses in order to reduce the display of tobacco products on online video platforms such as YouTube.

 

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

Interview: AIRSCREAM on Balancing Compliance and Market Demand Amid the Disposable Vape Crackdown
Interview: AIRSCREAM on Balancing Compliance and Market Demand Amid the Disposable Vape Crackdown
During the Dubai World Vape Show, AIRSCREAM executive Andrew spoke with 2Firsts about the brand’s strategies on compliance, large-capacity products, and nicotine alternatives. He underscored the company’s stance against disposable vapes and its commitment to long-termism and youth protection.
Jul.04
Chinese Taiwan Cracks Down on New Tobacco Products with 710,000 Inspections
Chinese Taiwan Cracks Down on New Tobacco Products with 710,000 Inspections
Since revising its laws, Chinese Taiwan has conducted over 710,000 inspections and issued nearly NT$500 million in fines, yet gaps remain in regulating online marketing.
May.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Russian State Duma Health Committee Calls for Full Ban on Domestic E-Cigarette Production and Sales
Russian State Duma Health Committee Calls for Full Ban on Domestic E-Cigarette Production and Sales
Sergei Leonov, Chair of the Russian State Duma Health Committee, has publicly called for a nationwide ban on the production and sale of e-cigarettes. Although sales to minors are already prohibited, underage use remains a concern.
May.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | UK MHRA Lists Multiple Low-Nicotine Sweet-Flavored SKUs from AL FAKHER; VOZOL and VOOPOO Roll Out New Open-System Devices
Product | UK MHRA Lists Multiple Low-Nicotine Sweet-Flavored SKUs from AL FAKHER; VOZOL and VOOPOO Roll Out New Open-System Devices
The UK MHRA database shows a surge of new SKU listings from brands like ELFBAR and SKE in early July, featuring high-capacity devices and low-nicotine sweet-flavored products. Amid the looming disposable vape ban, compliant products such as open-system devices have become the focus of these filings.
Jul.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exclusive Interview with UK Brand PIXL: Disposable Ban Sparks “Pod System Opportunity” — High-Puff Refillable Vapes Become the New Must-Have
Exclusive Interview with UK Brand PIXL: Disposable Ban Sparks “Pod System Opportunity” — High-Puff Refillable Vapes Become the New Must-Have
Following the UK’s disposable vape ban, the market saw major shifts. PIXL quickly entered with a “2+10ml” high-puff pod system. At the Dubai expo, the brand highlighted its user-focused design, modular strategy, and noted how the ban is driving demand for compliant refillable products.
Jun.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Launches National Priority Review Program: Drugs Aligned with U.S. Priorities May Be Approved in as Little as One Month
FDA Launches National Priority Review Program: Drugs Aligned with U.S. Priorities May Be Approved in as Little as One Month
The FDA has launched the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program, reducing the review time for certain drugs to as little as 1–2 months. While the program currently applies only to pharmaceuticals, it demonstrates the FDA’s capacity to reform its review pathways. Whether a similar mechanism could extend to tobacco products now appears to be a matter of timing and technical details.
Jun.18