Fuente: Tobacco Reporter Lugar: Global Regulation South Korea’s Cabinet moved to close regulatory and taxation gaps surrounding liquid e-cigarettes, including those using synthetic or nicotine-substitute substances, amid what is says are growing safety concerns. At a Cabinet meeting today (December 16) chaired by President Lee Jae-myung, the government approved the promulgation of amendments to the Tobacco Business Act that legally classify liquid e-cigarettes as tobacco products. The revised law expands the definition of cigarettes from products made from tobacco leaves to all products containing tobacco or nicotine, bringing synthetic-nicotine liquid e-cigarettes under formal regulation.



President Lee highlighted concerns that nicotine substitutes have been distributed without adequate safety verification and called for stronger institutional oversight. Reports of suspected lung damage linked to liquid e-cigarettes were also raised during the meeting.



Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Koo Yoon-cheol said products released four months after the law takes effect will be regulated and taxed as cigarettes. However, he noted regulatory limits regarding so-called “nicotine-free” products manufactured before the law’s implementation, stressing the need for separate management and hazard assessments.



The revision aims to eliminate regulatory and taxation blind spots while gradually strengthening safety management for nicotine substitutes.The post South Korea to Define All Nicotine Products as ‘Cigarettes’ first appeared on Tobacco Reporter.