South Korea speeds up synthetic nicotine legislation, regulatory report due year-end

Oct.31.2024

South Korea to classify synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes as equal in harm to traditional nicotine, aiming to include them under the "Tobacco Law." Final report expected by year-end.

South Korean government is preparing to release a report equating the harm of synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes to that of traditional nicotine in order to bring them under the scope of the "Tobacco Law," according to an October 30 report by N.News.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare recently submitted an interim report to the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee, stating that "both tobacco and synthetic nicotine liquids contain a high level of harmful substances (carcinogens and reproductive toxins)."

The report emphasizes the need to regulate synthetic nicotine liquids similarly to traditional tobacco due to the high presence of harmful substances.

This report contradicts the stance of synthetic tobacco companies, which have previously claimed that purified synthetic nicotine is less harmful than traditional nicotine.

However, the government’s findings indicate that synthetic nicotine still contains a substantial amount of harmful substances.

The report suggests that terms like "tobacco-free" or "pure substance" may mislead consumers and recommends avoiding such descriptions in product labeling.

The government plans to release the final report by year-end, potentially calling for regulatory measures on synthetic nicotine products.

References:

[1] [단독] 정부 '합성 전자담배도 유해'… ‘과세 사각지대' 法개정 가속도

Also Read:

[1] South Korean Industry Insiders: E-liquid Monthly Consumption Expected to Plummet by 60%

[2] South Korea: E-liquid Prices May Surge 5-Fold Amid Synthetic Nicotine Regulation

[3] South Korea Struggles with Taxation of Synthetic Nicotine E-cigarettes

[4] BAT to Launch Synthetic Nicotine Pouch Velo Plus in the U.S., Expected in 2025

[5] BAT to Launch Synthetic Nicotine e-Cigarette in South Korea

[6] Rising Tax Revenue from E-Cigarettes in South Korea

[7] Supporting Amendment to Classify Synthetic Nicotine as Tobacco: Asia Time

[8] South Korea Faces Tax Loss and Teen Vaping Issue

[9] Korean Government Plans to Regulate Synthetic Nicotine Products

[10] South Korea Considers Taxation on Synthetic Nicotine Products

#Legislation #Asia #South Korea #Nicotine-free e-cigarettes

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