Starting January 24, smokers using liquid e-cigarettes in designated no-smoking zones will face fines in Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday that all tobacco products, including liquid e-cigarettes, will be subject to smoking bans in smoke-free zones following the revision of the Tobacco Business Act.
Previously, liquid e-cigarettes using synthetic nicotine were not legally classified as "tobacco," allowing some violators to have their fines overturned even after being caught smoking in no-smoking areas. The products were also promoted and sold in online and offline stores without restrictions, drawing criticism as a "regulatory blind spot."
The revision eliminates such exceptions. Anyone using any tobacco product, including liquid e-cigarettes, in no-smoking zones will face fines of up to 100,000 won (approximately $70).
To prevent confusion during the initial implementation, Seoul will operate a two-week grace period from January 13 to 23. During this period, the city will distribute posters explaining the revised law and conduct promotional campaigns targeting tobacco retailers and citizens.
Full-scale inspections will run from January 24 to February 15. Inspectors will focus on unmanned e-cigarette vending machines and designated tobacco retail stores, checking vending machine operations, sales to minors, and compliance with advertising and labeling standards. Seoul has formed 16 joint inspection teams with 32 officials from the Health Management Division, Youth Policy Division, Fair Economy Division, and Economic Investigation Division.
The city will particularly scrutinize whether unmanned e-cigarette vending machines have adult verification devices and display "No Sales to Minors" signs to protect young people.
Seoul already shows a strong anti-smoking environment. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's 2025 Community Health Survey, Seoul's current smoking rate stands at 14.9 percent, below the national average of 17.9 percent. The rate of smokers attempting to quit reached 43.9 percent, exceeding the national average of 40.6 percent.
Seoul is strengthening support to help residents turn their commitment to quitting into action. Through the city's health management platform "Wrist Doctor 9988," citizens can register for smoking cessation clinics and receive professional counseling. Those who successfully quit for six months can earn up to 19,000 points.
"As regulations in no-smoking zones expand, citizens need sufficient time to understand the policy changes," said Cho Young-chang, Director of the Citizens' Health Bureau at Seoul Metropolitan Government. "We will strengthen guidance to ensure the system takes hold without confusion and actively support citizens in their efforts to quit smoking."
