Liquid e-cigarettes, which had long existed in a regulatory blind spot, will now face the same restrictions as conventional cigarettes in Korea. The move is drawing attention for its potential impact on steadily rising e-cigarette smoking rates.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on Thursday, regulations on liquid e-cigarettes will be strengthened when a revised Tobacco Business Act expanding the definition of tobacco takes effect on the 24th of this month.
The core of the revision is expanding the definition of tobacco from "tobacco leaves" to "tobacco or nicotine." This marks the first change to the definition since the Tobacco Business Act was enacted in 1988, 37 years ago. Previously, synthetic nicotine products were not legally recognized as tobacco, leaving no basis for enforcement in non-smoking areas.
A study commissioned by the MOHW found 69 types of harmful substances in synthetic nicotine concentrate — about 1.9 times more than in natural nicotine — along with high concentrations of tobacco-specific nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic and reproductively toxic. Regulatory discussions that began in 2016 had stalled for nine years amid industry opposition, but legislative debate was reignited after the harmful effects were confirmed.
Once the law takes effect, restrictions on advertising and online sales, mandatory warning labels, warning images and ingredient labeling on packaging, bans on sales to minors, imposition of taxes and levies, and inspections for harmful components will all be applied collectively. Fines of up to 100,000 won ($69) will also be imposed for smoking in non-smoking areas.
The government estimates that taxation on synthetic nicotine will secure approximately 930 billion won ($641 million) in additional annual tax revenue. To protect small business owners, existing synthetic nicotine product retailers will be granted a two-year grace period on distance-requirement rules for retail designation after the law takes effect, and taxes and levies will be temporarily reduced.
The law is also expected to help curb youth smoking. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's 2025 Youth Health Behavior Survey, liquid e-cigarettes (2.9%) ranked second in current usage rate by tobacco type, following conventional cigarettes (3.3%). The government expects that bans on online sales and sales to minors will reduce youth access.
The Jeju Public Health Center plans to upgrade non-smoking area signage, strengthen guidance and inspections, and conduct public awareness campaigns. "We ask citizens to show voluntary consideration regardless of whether a non-smoking sign is posted," a health center official said. As of last year, there were 19,195 non-smoking areas in Jeju City, and 109 cases received fines for smoking in non-smoking areas.
