South Korea Delays Enforcement of Revised Tobacco Law
South Korea’s amended Tobacco Business Act took effect on April 24, with local governments initially preparing to enforce the law simultaneously. However, hours before the law’s implementation. The Ministry of Health and Welfare suddenly issued a notice to local governments, stating that to avoid chaos caused by unsold inventory, a two-month guidance period would be established, and the enforcement start date would be postponed until after June 23.
Key Points Overview
- Key Points: Local governments across South Korea originally planned to conduct concentrated crackdowns on the use of vapes in no-smoking areas starting April 24.
- The amended Tobacco Business Act, passed in December 2025. Includes vapes in the definition of “tobacco” and took effect on April 24.
- The Ministry of Health and Welfare notified local governments that the enforcement start date would be postponed until after June 23.
- The Ministry stated that the supplementary provisions of the amended law only apply to products declared for manufacture or import after April 24, hence the two-month guidance period.
- Due to the central government’s last-minute adjustment, some local governments continued enforcement on April 24, while others abandoned enforcement.
Planned Crackdowns on Vape Use
April 27, 2026. According to the Chosun Ilbo, local governments across South Korea have recently been releasing press releases announcing a concentrated crackdown on the use of vapes in no-smoking areas.
Previous Legal Limitations on Vape Regulation
Previously, vapes were not legally classified as tobacco, making enforcement in no-smoking areas impossible; enforcement was limited to regular cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
Inclusion of Vapes Under Tobacco Law
With the passage of the revised Tobacco Business Act. Which includes provisions for including vapes in the definition of “tobacco,” in the National Assembly in December 2025 and taking effect on April 24, enforcement was initially expected to begin.
Last-Minute Government Decision to Postpone Enforcement
However, just hours before the law’s implementation, on the afternoon of April 23. The Ministry of Health and Welfare sent a document to local governments postponing the start of enforcement until after June 23.
Earlier Instructions Encouraged Immediate Enforcement
Back in February of this year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare had also sent a document to local governments requesting them to conduct on-site inspections in accordance with the implementation date of the revised Tobacco Business Act, effectively encouraging local enforcement.
Local Governments Thrown Into Confusion
Local governments were thrown into chaos by a sudden shift in the central government’s stance.
Initially preparing for large-scale enforcement, they were thrown into disarray and wasted considerable time verifying the true intent of official documents.
Mixed Enforcement Responses Across Regions
As a result, on April 24th, some local governments continued enforcement while others abandoned it.
Supplementary Provisions Behind Policy Shift
The report points out that the Ministry of Welfare’s change of position stemmed from the supplementary provisions in the revised law.
Limited Scope of the Revised Law
While the amendment recognized vapes as tobacco, it imposed the condition that it only applied to products whose manufacturing or import declarations were completed after April 24th, the law’s implementation date.
Introduction of a Two-Month Guidance Period
The Ministry of Welfare stated that to prevent confusion caused by unsold inventory of products not subject to the revised law, a guidance period was established.
Temporary Suspension of Vape Regulations
Related regulations were postponed during the two-month guidance period.
According to the Ministry of Welfare’s guidelines, all regulatory measures related to vapes were postponed for two months.
Delayed Implementation of Vending Machine Rules
For example, future vape vending machines will not be allowed to be installed arbitrarily and must be equipped with adult certification devices; these measures were also postponed for two months.
Concerns Over Government Preparedness
Local governments question the Ministry of Welfare’s preparedness.
Some within local governments have stated that the supplementary provisions were not added on short notice, making it difficult to understand why the Ministry of Welfare, which encouraged enforcement two months ago, suddenly changed its stance the day before the law’s implementation.
Criticism of Policy Coordination
The report argues that this is a significant policy change related to public health, but the Ministry of Welfare was unprepared for its implementation.
Possible Political Considerations
There has even been an interpretation that the government is worried about a deterioration in public opinion due to smoking ban enforcement before the June 3rd local elections.
Ongoing Uncertainty After Guidance Period
The supplementary provisions may continue to cause controversy on-site after the guidance period ends.
The report also states that even after the guidance period ends, the supplementary provisions may still cause confusion on-site.
Enforcement Challenges and Potential Conflicts
This is because it is questionable whether it is feasible to verify the production dates of vape products one by one during enforcement in no-smoking areas.
Therefore, conflicts may arise between enforcement officers and smokers.
