BAT Rothmans, the Korean subsidiary of British American Tobacco, has decided to stop selling synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes in convenience stores and online, according to an October 5 N.News report.
Today (5th), a representative from BAT announced that the synthetic nicotine e-cigarette "Nomad," slated for launch this month, will only be available at offline vape specialty stores.
Under current South Korean law, nicotine products synthesized chemically, rather than derived from tobacco leaves, are not classified as "tobacco" and are therefore not subject to the online sales ban. However, BAT’s decision to forgo online sales is seen as a response to political and public pressure, aiming to avoid "exploiting regulatory loopholes."
With synthetic nicotine regulations soon to be on the legislative agenda, BAT may find it challenging to benefit from online sales in the long term.
An official from South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare predicted that relevant research findings will be released by the end of the year, with formal legislative discussions expected to begin next year.
In addition, convenience stores are excluded from BAT's sales network for synthetic nicotine products. Responding to recent reports of a "convenience store industry rejection proposal," BAT clarified that there was "never a plan to sell through convenience stores."
Meanwhile, BAT's other e-cigarette product, "Vuse Go," is currently available in convenience stores.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
