According to Newsis, starting next April, e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine will be legally defined as "tobacco." This marks the first adjustment to the definition of tobacco in South Korea in 37 years since the Tobacco Business Act was enacted in 1988.
On April 26, the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea and the Korea Institute for Health Promotion and Development announced that the revised Tobacco Business Act will be officially implemented on April 24, 2026. Previously, the South Korean tobacco regulatory system was defined with "tobacco leaves" as the core . Therefore, new electronic cigarette products using synthetic nicotine were not considered legal tobacco for a long time and were not subject to many regulatory measures.
According to the National Health Promotion Law, synthetic nicotine e-cigarette products must be labeled with health warning images and text. Health authorities stated that they have developed guidelines for health warning labeling that conform to the form factor of e-cigarette products and will conduct focused inspections on the compliance of manufacturers and importers.
In addition, tobacco advertising regulations will be strengthened. Health warnings must be displayed at the bottom center of tobacco advertisements in retail stores or newspapers and magazines.
With the expansion of the definition of tobacco, the use of synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas such as schools, hospitals, and government offices will be subject to penalties. Marketing targeting teenagers and young consumers in terms of flavors and aromas will also be restricted, and related product packaging and advertising will not be allowed to highlight flavor elements such as fruits or desserts.
Advertising and promotional activities will also be significantly restricted. Online advertising, external store displays, sponsorship of e-cigarette exhibitions or promotional events for synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes are prohibited, except in designated areas within retail stores, and sales through online stores or social media are also prohibited.
Regulation of unmanned cigarette vending machines will be further strengthened. The locations of synthetic nicotine e-cigarette vending machines will be restricted, and they must be equipped with adult identification devices. Starting in February 2026, the installation and operation of cigarette vending machines within educational environmental protection zones will be gradually prohibited.
Currently, major overseas countries have included synthetic nicotine in their tobacco regulations. The United States defines all nicotine products as tobacco, and Canada, France, and New Zealand also manage e-cigarettes within their tobacco control systems. However, challenges remain. Pseudo-nicotine products claiming to be nicotine-free, e-cigarette devices, and components remain on the fringes of regulation. Some argue that a more comprehensive regulatory system, focusing on functionality and purpose rather than ingredients, is needed to address the rapidly changing tobacco market.
Source: https://m.news.nate.com/view/20251229n01593?mid=m03&list=recent&cpcd=
电子雾化与HNB产品都是新型电子产品，结构虽小，却融合应用多种材料、表面处理、芯片电子等技术工艺，而且雾化技术一直在不断更迭，供应链在逐步完善，为了促进供应链企业间有一个良好的对接交流，艾邦搭建产业微信群交流平台，欢迎加入；Vape e-cigarettes (VAPE) and Heat-Not-Burn e-cigarettes (HNB) are both emerging electronic products. Despite their compact size, they integrate various materials, surface treatment technologies, chip electronics, and other advanced technical processes. Moreover, atomization technology is constantly evolving and the supply chain is being progressively perfected. To facilitate good communication and networking among supply chain enterprises, Aibang has established an industry WeChat group communication platform and warmly welcomes interested enterprises to join.
Chinese 
English