Korea brings e-cigarettes under tobacco law, banning online sales

Health center workers post a notice banning indoor e-cigarette use at an internet cafe in Buk District, Gwangju, Thursday. Yonhap

A revision to the Tobacco Business Act took effect Friday extending the legal definition of tobacco from traditional leaf-based products to cover natural and synthetic nicotine, bringing liquid e-cigarettes under government oversight for the first time.

The law is expected to more than double the price of both locally manufactured and imported products, which will be subject to consumption taxes and other levies. There will, however, be a 50 percent tax reduction for the next two years to limit market shock.

According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the combined taxes and levies on these products is set at 1,823 won ($1.23) per milliliter, meaning a standard 30-milliliter bottle would carry around 27,000 won in tax at the reduced rate, nearly double the typical retail price of 15,000 to 20,000 won.

Under the revised law, use of e-cigarettes is banned in facilities such as schools, hospitals and government offices, as well as in designated outdoor no-smoking zones. Online sales of e-cigarettes are banned, and health warnings including nicotine content and ingredient disclosures must appear on packaging. Sales to minors are prohibited, along with any promotional activities targeting them.

Retailers must obtain a tobacco retailer designation from local authorities, and products must undergo harmful substance testing every two years.Packaging and advertisements are prohibited from featuring any text, images or pictures indicating the presence of flavoring substances in the product. They must also carry a printed label indicating whether tax procedures have been completed, allowing consumers to distinguish new stock from old.

The government plans to extend its regulatory reach to nicotine-related inhalation products not currently covered by the Tobacco Business Act, including conducting hazard assessments and reviewing safety measures.

The revised law came amid a global push to tighten tobacco regulations. This month, Britain's Parliament cleared a bill permanently banning anyone born in 2009 or later from purchasing tobacco and the Maldives enacted a similar measure last year, barring sales to those born in or after 2007.