Goyang City Urges Relevant Sellers to Apply for Tobacco Retailer Designation by April 23

Key Takeaways

• Goyang said the revised Tobacco Business Act will take effect on April 24, 2026.
• The revised law expands the definition of tobacco from “tobacco leaf” to products made with “tobacco or nicotine” as raw materials.
• Some sellers previously not classified as tobacco retailers will now be subject to the Tobacco Business Act.
• Relevant sellers must prepare the required documents and qualifications and apply for tobacco retailer designation by April 23 if they wish to continue operating.
• Existing sellers will receive a two-year grace period only for distance restriction requirements under Article 3 of the supplementary provisions.

2Firsts, March 13, 2026

According to NewsPeak, Goyang Special City in South Korea said it has informed local sellers about the revised Tobacco Business Act, which will take effect on April 24, 2026, and has urged them to apply for tobacco retailer designation.

Under the revision, the definition of tobacco is expanded from “tobacco leaf” to products made with “tobacco or nicotine” as raw materials.

As a result, some outlets that had previously not been classified as tobacco under the Tobacco Business Act and had operated without tobacco retailer designation will now also be subject to the Tobacco Business Act, in the same way as ordinary conventional tobacco retailers.

Goyang said that if relevant sellers wish to continue operating after the revised law takes effect, they must prepare the required documents and meet the designation requirements by April 23, apply for tobacco retailer designation, and be designated as tobacco retailers.

Further details can be found on the Goyang City website under “Goyang City Notice No. 2026-740,” and related inquiries can be directed to the industrial sanitation division of the competent district office.

However, under Article 3 of the supplementary provisions of the revised law, existing sellers will be granted a two-year grace period only for distance restriction requirements.

Goyang also said that if a seller falls under the disqualification provisions under Article 16(2) of the Tobacco Business Act and Article 5 of the Rules on Standards for Tobacco Retailer Designation in Goyang City, excluding the distance restriction requirement, designation as a tobacco retailer will be restricted. Sellers therefore need to review the relevant rules in detail before applying.

A city official said that all relevant sellers are expected to complete the tobacco retailer designation procedure before the revised law takes effect and avoid disadvantages from failing to obtain designation.

Image source: NewsPeak