South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance Denies Pushing for Amendments to Tobacco Business Act or Tax Measures to Fill Fiscal Gap

Nov.13.2024
South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance Denies Pushing for Amendments to Tobacco Business Act or Tax Measures to Fill Fiscal Gap
The South Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance has denied rumors that e-cigarette taxes would be used to fill the fiscal gap, emphasizing that the authority to make taxation decisions lies with the National Assembly and that the related legislative process is unrelated to the fiscal deficit.

According to a report on Korea.KR, the official South Korean e-government website, on November 12, there were previous reports suggesting that a study on the harmful effects of vapes, initiated by the South Korean government, could potentially be used as the basis for vape taxation. Some viewpoints speculated that this could be preparation for "filling the tax revenue gap." (Read more: South Korea speeds up synthetic nicotine legislation, regulatory report due year-end)

 

In response, the Ministry of Planning and Finance clarified that the decision on the taxation of synthetic nicotine vapes falls within the legislative domain of the National Assembly. The reports claiming that the government is pushing for amendments to the Tobacco Business Act and strengthening taxation to fill the fiscal gap are false.

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

Indonesia’s Vape Excise Revenue Rises 7.38% in 2025 to $170.4M Amid Broader Tobacco Excise Decline
Indonesia’s Vape Excise Revenue Rises 7.38% in 2025 to $170.4M Amid Broader Tobacco Excise Decline
Indonesia’s customs data show vape (REL) excise revenue reached Rp 2.84 trillion in 2025 (≈$170.4 million), up 7.38% year over year. The gain came even as overall tobacco excise revenue declined. Minimum retail price benchmarks (HJE) for vape products rose in 2025, while excise rates remained unchanged from 2024; open-system e-liquids accounted for the largest share of revenue.
Jan.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK reminds vaping firms to apply for new excise duty registration from April 2026
UK reminds vaping firms to apply for new excise duty registration from April 2026
HMRC has issued a reminder urging vaping manufacturers, importers and warehouse operators to prepare for registration under the UK’s new Vaping Products Duty, with applications opening in April 2026 and the duty taking effect in October.
Feb.10
FDA Says Flavored ENDS Must Show “Added Benefit” as Small Manufacturers Seek Clearer Switching Benchmarks
FDA Says Flavored ENDS Must Show “Added Benefit” as Small Manufacturers Seek Clearer Switching Benchmarks
During the FDA PMTA roundtable session on “Studies of Adult Benefit,” officials said flavored ENDS must demonstrate “added benefit” over tobacco-flavored products under the APPH standard, including sustained complete switching evidence. Small manufacturers questioned switching benchmarks, study duration, and bridging expectations.
Feb.11
Liverpool City Region Considers Healthier Advertising Rules for Trains, Ferries and Buses — Vapes Included
Liverpool City Region Considers Healthier Advertising Rules for Trains, Ferries and Buses — Vapes Included
The Liverpool City Region is considering a region-wide clampdown on advertising for junk food, sugary drinks and vapes on publicly owned infrastructure. The move is framed as part of a broader push to promote healthier lifestyles and tackle deep-rooted health inequalities, with a particular focus on reducing children’s exposure to harmful marketing in public spaces. The plan is set to go before the Combined Authority on Friday.
Jan.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI reports full-year 2025 results with net revenues of $40.6 billion and smoke-free net revenues were about $16.9 billion
PMI reports full-year 2025 results with net revenues of $40.6 billion and smoke-free net revenues were about $16.9 billion
Philip Morris International (PMI) released its Q4 and full-year 2025 results on February 6, 2026. PMI reported full-year net revenues of $40,648 million ($40.6 billion), reported diluted EPS of $7.26 and adjusted diluted EPS of $7.54. PMI said smoke-free net revenues were $16.9 billion and represented 41.5% of total net revenues, with smoke-free products available in 106 markets and over 43 million estimated adult consumers.
Feb.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Michigan Governor budget to seek major tax hikes on tobacco, vaping and gaming to address Medicaid gap
Michigan Governor budget to seek major tax hikes on tobacco, vaping and gaming to address Medicaid gap
Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget includes significant tax hikes on tobacco and gaming to address a projected $1.8 billion shortfall in Michigan’s Medicaid funding, the report said. The plan calls for raising the per-pack cigarette tax from $2 to $3 and increasing the wholesale tax on other tobacco products from 32% to 57%.
Feb.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai