The South Korean government reviewed and approved the draft proposal for the revision of the Tobacco Industry Act at the State Council meeting. President Lee Jae-myung stated at the meeting that it is necessary to question the rationality of allowing nicotine replacement substances to enter the market without conducting safety tests.
Key Points Summary
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The State Council of South Korea deliberated and approved the proposed revision of the Tobacco Industry Act.
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E-cigarettes and synthetic nicotine products have been clearly included in the scope of tobacco regulation.
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Products manufactured after four months of law implementation will be legally managed as tobacco and taxed.
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Substances without nicotine still have regulatory blind spots.
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The government will promote the assessment of harmfulness and the construction of a cross-departmental safety management mechanism.
Expanded Definition of Tobacco Under the Revised Law
December 16, 2025. According to the Cheonji Ilbo, the South Korean government held a State Council meeting at the government office building, chaired by President Lee Jae-myung, to review and approve the proposed revision of the Tobacco Industry Act. This revision expands the definition of tobacco from the original “tobacco leaves” and other natural nicotine raw materials to include all products containing “tobacco” or “nicotine,” and explicitly brings synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes under legal regulation.
Taxation and Regulatory Timeline for New Products
Vice Premier and Minister of Planning and Finance Koo Yun-cheol stated at the meeting that products manufactured four months after the implementation of the revised law will be managed and taxed as tobacco in accordance with the law. However, he also noted that so-called “fake nicotine” products that do not contain nicotine, particularly existing stock produced before the law takes effect, still face regulatory limitations under the current system.
Regulatory Gaps for Nicotine-Free Products
Ju Runzhe pointed out that although e-cigarettes were previously jointly managed by multiple government departments, products without nicotine have long lacked a clearly designated supervisory authority.
Plans for Cross-Departmental Safety Oversight
The government plans to establish a safety consultation mechanism by integrating the Chemical Products Safety Law with the human application product management system of the Food and Drug Safety Department. This approach aims to clarify regulatory responsibilities and address existing oversight gaps.
President Raises Safety Concerns Over Nicotine Substitutes
President Lee Jae-myung emphasized during the meeting the need to question the rationality of allowing nicotine replacement substances to enter the market without undergoing safety testing. The meeting also reported suspected cases of lung injuries linked to e-cigarette use.
Legal Basis for Taxation Clarified
Previously, as these products were not classified as tobacco products, they were not subject to taxation. Guo Runzhe noted that although local governments had attempted to levy local taxes in the past, there was no clear legal basis. The revised law is expected to provide a clear foundation for taxation going forward.
