Busan has begun enforcing new tobacco regulations that now classify synthetic nicotine e-cigarettes as tobacco products, bringing them under the same restrictions as conventional cigarettes.

The city announced that a two-month grace period following revisions to the Tobacco Business Act has ended, with enforcement beginning June 24.

Health officials from Busan’s district offices will conduct inspections and monitoring of tobacco-related regulations, including the use of synthetic nicotine vaping products in designated no-smoking areas.

The legal definition of tobacco was expanded earlier this year from products derived solely from tobacco leaves to those containing nicotine, closing a regulatory loophole that had allowed some synthetic nicotine products to avoid tobacco-related restrictions.

As a result, users caught vaping synthetic nicotine products in no-smoking zones can now face fines of up to 100,000 won under the National Health Promotion Act.

In addition to monitoring smoking violations, authorities will inspect compliance with regulations governing tobacco vending machines and tobacco advertising at retail outlets, including restrictions on promotional materials highlighting flavored tobacco products.

The updated regulations are intended to strengthen public health protections and ensure that all nicotine-containing products are subject to the same rules in public spaces.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu