The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), alongside local governments, has launched a nationwide crackdown on synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes following the expiration of a two-month grace period. This decisive enforcement transition legally aligns synthetic nicotine products with conventional tobacco to curb rising vape usage and protect public health.
Under the newly revised Tobacco Business Act, the legal definition of tobacco has expanded from “products made from tobacco leaves” to encompass all nicotine-containing products. Consequently, synthetic liquid vapes must now adhere to strict advertising limits, mandatory health warning images, and public use bans.
To ensure compliance, joint inspection teams will patrol non-smoking zones and monitor cigarette vending machines. Vending machines must feature adult verification systems and are restricted to minor-excluded areas.
The regulatory shift also introduces a heavy tax burden on synthetic nicotine, which previously enjoyed tax-exempt status as a non-tobacco chemical product.
| Regulatory Metric | Previous Status (Synthetic Nicotine) | New Status (Under Revised Act) |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes & Levies | Exempt | ~1,823 won per ml (including consumption tax) |
| Public Smoking Fine | No penalty | Up to 100,000 won fine |
| Online Sales | Allowed | Strictly prohibited |
| Warning Labels | Not mandatory | Mandatory health warning images |
In tandem with the health regulations, the Ministry of Finance and Economy is targeting tax evasion. Government officials refuted political claims that massive volumes of Chinese natural nicotine are being imported disguised as synthetic nicotine to evade trillions of won in taxes. Customs officials noted that false declarations have dropped significantly since 2019 due to stricter documentation requirements.
Additionally, the government is investigating online sellers falsely labeling nicotine-containing products as “nicotine-free” and consumers mixing pure nicotine liquid into e-cigarettes. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will also initiate safety assessments on nicotine-like substances intended for human inhalation.
