South Korea to Enforce New Tobacco Harm Management Law on November 1
South Korea will begin implementing the “Tobacco Harm Management Law” on November 1, requiring mandatory testing and public disclosure of harmful components in tobacco products. Traditional cigarettes must be tested for 44 substances, while vapes will be tested for 20. The first public results will be released in the second half of next year, and the government is also considering regulating synthetic nicotine products.
Key Points
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Starting November 1, tobacco manufacturers and importers must test harmful ingredients in cigarettes, heated tobacco, and vapes within three months and publish results as early as the second half of next year.
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Traditional cigarettes require testing for 44 components, vapes for 20; authorities may add QR codes on cigarette packs and will establish a committee to ensure testing fairness.
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Synthetic nicotine and similar products may be included once amendments to the Tobacco Business Law are passed.
New Law Aims to Increase Transparency on Tobacco Harm
According to an NWS report on March 24, South Korea will officially implement the Tobacco Harm Management Law on November 1. The goal is to provide the public with clear information about harmful ingredients in tobacco products and their impact on health. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare are preparing detailed enforcement rules.
Mandatory Testing Requirements for Tobacco Products
A central component of the policy is mandatory testing and disclosure of harmful substances. Yoo Hyun-Jung, general director at MFDS, stated that testing will apply to traditional cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and vapes. Cigarettes must undergo testing for 44 harmful ingredients, while vape liquids will be tested for 20 ingredients using a newly developed method.
Under the law, manufacturers and importers must complete testing within three months of implementation and submit results to MFDS. These results will be released publicly on the government website as early as the second half of next year.
Improving Consumer Access Through QR Codes and Oversight Committee
To enhance consumer access to information, authorities are considering adding two-dimensional (QR) codes to cigarette packaging. The government will also establish a “Tobacco Hazard Management Policy Committee” to ensure testing accuracy, fairness, and prevent manipulation or misuse of test data by tobacco companies.
Synthetic Nicotine Products Likely to Be Regulated Next
Synthetic nicotine and similar products are currently outside the scope of the regulation. However, amendments to the Tobacco Business Law are under discussion in parliament. Once passed, these products will also require ingredient testing and disclosure.
Government Emphasizes Step-by-Step Approach
Ryu Hyun-Jung of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated:
- “While it is impossible to test and disclose all tobacco components at once, taking the first step is significant in itself. We will continue to improve the implementation of the law to ensure that consumers can accurately understand the harmful ingredients of tobacco so they can make healthier consumption choices.”
