Liquid e-cigarettes banned in non-smoking areas… Fines to be imposed starting in April

Starting in April, liquid e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine will be subject to the same regulations as regular cigarettes.

The revised Tobacco Business Act will take effect on April 24th.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 3rd that the revised Tobacco Business Act will take effect on April 24th. This amendment, a follow-up measure to the revised Tobacco Business Act, aims to apply tobacco regulations under the National Health Promotion Act to synthetic nicotine tobacco products.

Synthetic Nicotine Products: Eliminating Regulatory Blind Spots

Under the National Health Promotion Act, tobacco is regulated only as defined by the Tobacco Business Act. The existing Tobacco Business Act defines tobacco as manufactured from "tobacco leaves." Accordingly, liquid e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine were not classified as tobacco, leaving them in a regulatory blind spot.

Mandatory display of warning pictures and advertising restrictions

According to the amendment, tobacco manufacturers and importers will be required to display warning images and text on liquid synthetic nicotine products. If a cigarette contains flavoring, text, images, or photos indicating this will not be allowed on packaging or in advertising. Tobacco advertising will be permitted only in limited circumstances, including in magazines and other periodicals, event sponsorships, retail stores, and on international aircraft and passenger ships. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to conduct inspections of tobacco retailers, manufacturers, importers, and sellers to ensure compliance with the revised law, starting in late April, when the amendment takes effect.

A fine of 100,000 won will be imposed for smoking in a non-smoking area.

Smokers are prohibited from using any tobacco products, including cigarettes, heat-not-burn e-cigarettes, and liquid e-cigarettes, in non-smoking areas. Violators of this rule and smoking in non-smoking areas are subject to a fine of up to 100,000 won. The government plans to cooperate with local governments and other relevant organizations to enforce non-smoking areas and ensure that the expanded definition of tobacco is implemented in practice.