South Korea Reclassifies Synthetic Nicotine Vapes as Tobacco
The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that an amendment to the Tobacco Business Act will take effect on April 24, classifying vapes containing synthetic nicotine as “tobacco.” These products will be subject to the same packaging warnings, advertising restrictions, vending machine regulations, and smoking bans in designated areas as traditional cigarettes. Compliance checks and enforcement will begin at the end of April.
Key Points at a Glance
- From April 24, vapes containing synthetic nicotine will be considered “tobacco” and regulated in the same manner as cigarettes.
- The definition of “tobacco” is expanded from “tobacco leaf products” to include all tobacco and nicotine-based products, marking the first expansion in 37 years.
- Products containing flavoring substances may not use text, graphics, or images suggesting flavor on packaging or in advertising.
- Tobacco vending machines are limited to designated retailers, require adult verification devices, and are subject to strict location restrictions.
- All tobacco products, including vapes, are prohibited in designated non-smoking areas.
- Compliance checks on retailers, manufacturers, and importers/distributors will begin from the end of April, alongside strengthened local enforcement.
Amendment to the Tobacco Business Act Takes Effect April 24
According to Yonhap News Agency on February 3, 2026. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the amendment to the Tobacco Business Act—passed by the National Assembly at the end of 2025—will officially take effect on April 24. Under the revised law. Vapes containing synthetic nicotine will fall within the legal definition of “tobacco” and be regulated in the same way as conventional cigarettes.
Closing Regulatory Gaps for Synthetic Nicotine Products
The Ministry explained that tobacco regulation under the National Health Promotion Act relies on the definition of “tobacco” in the Tobacco Business Act. Previously, tobacco was defined solely as products made from tobacco leaves, leaving synthetic nicotine vapes outside the regulatory framework for an extended period.
Expanded Definition of Tobacco Marks First Change in 37 Years
Under the amendment, the definition of “tobacco” is expanded to include all tobacco and nicotine-based products. This marks the first such expansion in 37 years since the Act’s enactment. As a result, vapes and related products will no longer be exempt and must comply with the same regulatory requirements as cigarettes.
New Packaging and Advertising Restrictions
Following implementation, manufacturers and importers/distributors must include health warnings, including warning images and text, on tobacco packaging and in advertisements. Tobacco advertising will be permitted only under strict conditions in limited channels such as magazines and other periodicals, event sponsorships, within retail stores, and on international flights and cruise ships.
Flavor Descriptors Prohibited on Packaging and Ads
For tobacco products containing flavoring substances. The use of any text, graphics, or photographs suggesting flavor on packaging or in advertisements will be prohibited.
Stricter Rules for Tobacco Vending Machines
Tobacco vending machines may only be installed by retailers that meet the requirements of the Tobacco Business Act and have obtained designated retailer status. Machines must be equipped with adult verification devices and may not be placed outside retail stores or smoking rooms, or in locations accessible to individuals under 19 years of age.
Vape Use Banned in Designated Non-Smoking Areas
From a consumer perspective, the use of all tobacco products—including vapes—will be prohibited in designated non-smoking areas nationwide.
Compliance Inspections and Enhanced Local Enforcement
The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that starting at the end of April. Inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance by retailers, manufacturers, and importers/distributors. Authorities will also work with local governments and relevant agencies to strengthen patrols and enforcement in non-smoking areas and support the local implementation of the expanded tobacco definition.
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