A bill seeking to regulate synthetic nicotine products, which make up a significant portion of the e-liquid vaping market, failed to pass the subcommittee stage of the South Korean National Assembly’s Planning and Finance Committee. The proposed amendment to the Tobacco Business Act aimed to expand the definition of tobacco products to include synthetic nicotine.

South Korea’s efforts to regulate synthetic nicotine cigarettes are encountering significant legislative obstacles, with potential implementation now likely pushed to 2025. The proposed amendments to the Tobacco Business Act have stalled in the National Assembly, highlighting complex political and regulatory challenges.

South Korea is accelerating its efforts to implement legislation regulating synthetic nicotine, a move that has the e-cigarette industry on edge. The primary concern for the industry is how tax rates will be set, as this could have a significant impact on the entire sector if the regulations are put into place.