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

Oct.31.2024
South Korea speeds up synthetic nicotine legislation, regulatory report due year-end
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.

 

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