South Korea prepares will regulate synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes under tobacco laws starting April 24, introducing stricter sales, marketing, and usage rules. Photo credit: Bimbim Sindu, Pexels.
South Korea will bring synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes under its tobacco laws this month, tightening oversight to address rising youth vaping and closing a long-standing regulatory gap.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, revisions to the Tobacco Business Act will take effect April 24. The updated law will include synthetic nicotine products within the legal definition of tobacco, ending their previous exemption under rules that covered only nicotine derived from tobacco leaves.
Authorities will ban the use of these e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas and impose fines of up to KRW100,000 (US$69) for violations. The government will also prohibit all online sales. Retailers must apply for official tobacco retailer designation from the relevant authority to continue selling the products.
Businesses that continue sales without designation may face penalties of up to six months’ imprisonment or fines of up to KRW5 million (US$3,450). Applications can be submitted in person to local township offices or, depending on location, to county authorities or filed by mail.
The revised rules also tighten marketing restrictions aimed at youth. Manufacturers must place warning images and text on packaging. The government will prohibit flavor descriptors such as “mango,” “mint,” and “sweet,” along with related imagery, on e-liquid containers. Violations of packaging rules carry fines of up to KRW5 million.
Existing retailers that sold synthetic nicotine products before December 23, 2024 may qualify for a temporary exemption from the 50-meter minimum distance requirement between tobacco retail outlets until April 23, 2028, if they submit supporting documents. However, businesses under this special measure may sell only synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes. Authorities will cancel their designation if they also sell conventional tobacco products. After the grace period ends, all retailers must comply with distance rules and obtain designation.
Data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) showed that youth vaping prevalence reached 2.9% in 2025, compared with 3.3% for conventional cigarette use. Among young smokers, 61.4% reported using both.