Korea closes loophole on synthetic nicotine to curb youth vaping

A shop employee organizes synthetic nicotine e-liquids in Seoul, Feb. 3. / Newsis

South Korea will strictly regulate synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes under conventional tobacco laws starting next month, closing a long-standing loophole to combat a surge in youth vaping.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Thursday that the revised Tobacco Business Act takes effect April 24. The previous law defined tobacco based solely on tobacco-derived nicotine extracted from leaves, exempting synthetic nicotine products that carry virtually identical addictive properties.

The revision brings synthetic nicotine under tobacco regulations. Authorities banned the use of these e-cigarettes in smoke-free zones, carrying fines of up to 100,000 won ($69) for violators. Sellers must register as authorized retailers, and the government banned online sales outright.

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Crackdown on youth marketing

The law specifically targets marketing aimed at youths. Manufacturers must attach warning pictures and phrases to packaging. The government also banned flavor descriptors such as "mango," "mint" and "sweet" — alongside related images — on e-liquid bottles. Violating this packaging rule carries fines of up to 5 million won ($3,472).

Fruit- and candy-flavored products, combined with easy online access, fueled a rise in teen vaping. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that the youth vaping rate reached 2.9 percent in 2025, compared with 3.3 percent for conventional cigarettes. Furthermore, 61.4 percent of youth smokers use both.

The policy shift aligns with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. WHO warned in its 2021 "Global Tobacco Epidemic Report" that flavored e-cigarettes serve as a gateway to youth smoking. Delegates at the 11th Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control last year also adopted a resolution to regulate all types of tobacco products, addressing the challenges posed by novel and emerging nicotine products.

A bar graph, generated by artificial intelligence, compares Korea’s youth vaping rate and conventional cigarette usage. Vaping rates stand at 2.9 percent, nearly matching the 3.3 percent recorded for conventional cigarettes.

A health ministry official said the revision establishes a youth smoking prevention network meeting international standards.

"Predatory tobacco marketing tactics have spread into teenagers' daily lives, causing widespread social concern," the official said. "This legal revision will serve as a cornerstone to reduce tobacco exposure among future generations and to move toward a 'tobacco-free generation.'"

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.