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Busan Metropolitan City to Launch Intensive Enforcement Against Smoking in No-Smoking Areas, Including the Use of Synthetic Nicotine E-Liquids, Starting Today (June 24)

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Park Heong-joon, announced that beginning today (June 24), it will conduct intensive inspections and enforcement activities in cooperation with district and county public health centers regarding tobacco control regulations, including those covering synthetic nicotine e-liquid electronic cigarettes, following the conclusion of the two-month guidance period associated with the enforcement of the revised Tobacco Business Act on April 24, 2026.

This measure is a follow-up action reflecting the expansion of the legal definition of tobacco from products containing only tobacco leaves to products containing tobacco or nicotine in any form.

Previously, synthetic nicotine e-liquid electronic cigarettes and similar products had been distributed outside the existing legal regulatory framework. With the revised law, these products are now officially classified as tobacco and are fully subject to regulation under the National Health Promotion Act.

Accordingly, starting today (June 24), following the end of the guidance period, anyone found using synthetic nicotine electronic cigarettes in designated no-smoking areas may be subject to an administrative fine of up to KRW 100,000 under the National Health Promotion Act.

In addition, the city plans to conduct inspections and investigations to verify compliance with standards governing the installation of tobacco vending machines and tobacco advertising requirements at tobacco retail outlets, including restrictions on indicating the presence of flavoring substances in advertisements.

Jo Gyu-yul, Director General of the Citizens’ Health Bureau, stated, “We expect that the expanded definition of tobacco will help eliminate regulatory blind spots surrounding emerging tobacco products and contribute to improving the health of citizens, including young people.”

He added, “As full-scale enforcement begins, we ask for the active cooperation of all citizens to minimize confusion in the field and help establish a proper smoke-free culture.”