Health minister calls for tighter grip on e-cigarettes amid regulatory gaps

SEOUL, July 31 (AJP) - Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong called for stricter oversight of liquid electronic cigarettes Thursday, arguing they should face the same regulatory framework as conventional tobacco products to close existing legal loopholes.

Speaking to the National Assembly in written responses following her confirmation hearing, Jeong said synthetic nicotine-based liquid e-cigarettes pose health risks equivalent to traditional cigarettes and warrant identical regulatory treatment.

"Synthetic nicotine liquid e-cigarettes are equally harmful to health as cigarettes and require the same regulations," Jeong said when asked about her stance on regulating the products.

Under current tobacco business law, cigarettes are defined as products made entirely or partially from tobacco leaves, subjecting them to comprehensive oversight including manufacturing permits, health warnings, flavor restrictions and advertising limitations.

However, most substances, also known as "e-liquids," "vape liquids," or "vape juices," contain nicotine that is extracted from the stem of tobacco plants or synthetically produced, and fall outside this legal definition, creating a regulatory blind spot that has allowed the products to operate with minimal restrictions.

The minister pledged to support legislative efforts to expand the legal definition of tobacco from "tobacco leaves" to "tobacco and nicotine," bringing e-cigarettes under the same regulatory umbrella as conventional cigarettes.

About 10 tobacco business law amendment bills are currently under review at the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee, according to the health ministry.

Kim Dong-young davekim0807@ajupress.com