Indoor Vaping Now Fined 100,000 Won in South Korea Starting Today

As of April 24, 2026, smoking liquid e-cigarettes in indoor non-smoking areas will be subject to fines of up to 100,000 Korean won (approximately $72 USD).

The Ministry of Health and Welfare's grace period for these new regulations has concluded, prompting Seoul and its 25 autonomous districts to intensify enforcement. The crackdown targets the smoking of liquid e-cigarettes, including those containing synthetic nicotine, in designated non-smoking zones.

Previously, the definition of "tobacco" under the Tobacco Business Act was expanded to include products containing nicotine, regardless of whether the nicotine is natural or synthetic. This amendment brings liquid e-cigarettes under the same regulations as traditional cigarettes concerning non-smoking area rules, advertising restrictions, health warning labels, and vending machine installation standards.

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As the grace period has ended, enforcement of liquid e-cigarette smoking in non-smoking areas will begin in earnest starting today.

Seoul had initially planned to begin enforcement on April 24 but opted for a two-month grace period to allow for public awareness and system adaptation. During this period, joint inspections were conducted on e-cigarette retailers and vending machines to check operational practices and compliance with youth sales prevention measures.

The intensified enforcement will focus on smoking violations in non-smoking areas and adherence to vending machine operational guidelines. Vending machines are now restricted to locations where individuals under 19 are prohibited from entering, inside tobacco retail stores, or in designated smoking rooms with age verification systems. Officials urge citizens to familiarize themselves with the updated regulations to avoid penalties.

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We ask citizens to be aware of the changed regulations so they do not suffer disadvantages.