Read articles from South Korea

October 09, 2026 by planetofthevapes.co.uk

The new GSTHR briefing paper focuses on a shift that is already happening: people moving from cigarettes to safer nicotine products. These transitions are not theoretical policy models; they can be seen across countries where vapes, pouches, snus and heated tobacco products are changing patterns of nicotine use. That matters because the public health gain comes from reducing exposure to combustion, even when nicotine use continues. Regulation should understand these pathways before it disrupts them.

September 29, 2026 by gsthr.org

For many people, the route away from smoking is not one clean break but a transition. The latest GSTHR Briefing Paper looks at emerging shifts from cigarettes to safer nicotine products across countries, showing how people reduce risk by changing the way they use nicotine. These country-level patterns matter because they reveal what happens when alternatives are available, acceptable and understood. Tobacco policy should learn from those real-world transitions instead of treating continued nicotine use as a failure.

August 12, 2026 by koreaherald.com

South Korea is losing ground because its nicotine policy is working against switching. While countries such as Sweden and New Zealand have accelerated smoking declines by allowing lower-risk alternatives to compete with cigarettes, South Korea continues to tax and regulate safer products in ways that make them less accessible. The result is predictable: smokers receive confusing risk messages and face fewer practical routes away from combustion. If the goal is fewer smoking-related deaths, policy should stop making cigarettes the easiest option.

July 21, 2026 by worldvapersalliance.com

South Korea's high taxes on nicotine pouches, compared to cigarettes, hinder tobacco harm reduction efforts. In contrast, Sweden's lower taxes on smoke-free alternatives have drastically reduced smoking rates. South Korea's stringent regulations treat all nicotine products like cigarettes, impeding public health goals. Korea's lack of progress highlights the importance of distinguishing between products based on harm. For the EU, decisions on taxation and regulation will impact tobacco control efforts. Following Sweden's approach of targeting harm reduction over consumption could lead to lower smoking rates and healthcare costs. The EU should consider Sweden's model when updating tobacco directives to prioritize public health.

April 09, 2026 by 2firsts.com

Seoul is set to introduce stricter regulations on vaping by extending smoking bans to liquid e-cigarettes in public spaces. Starting April 24, these products will be treated the same as conventional tobacco under revised legislation. This change closes a legal loophole that previously allowed some users to avoid penalties. Anyone caught using e-cigarettes in no-smoking areas may face fines of up to 100,000 won. The city is also launching inspections and public awareness campaigns to ensure compliance with the new rules.

April 09, 2026 by 2firsts.com

Seoul is set to introduce stricter regulations on vaping by extending smoking bans to liquid e-cigarettes in public spaces. Starting April 24, these products will be treated the same as conventional tobacco under revised legislation. This change closes a legal loophole that previously allowed some users to avoid penalties. Anyone caught using e-cigarettes in no-smoking areas may face fines of up to 100,000 won. The city is also launching inspections and public awareness campaigns to ensure compliance with the new rules.

February 05, 2026 by thestar.com.my

The South Korean government will reclassify all nicotine-based products as tobacco to regulate e-cigarettes and liquid vape sales starting April 24. The revised law includes health warnings, advertising restrictions, and penalties for violations. Vending machines must be in adult-only areas, and flavored products aimed at youth are banned. Concerns over underage access to e-cigarettes have prompted stricter regulations due to minors using liquid e-cigarettes more than traditional cigarettes. Unmanned e-cigarette shops have exploited loopholes in tobacco laws, lacking age-verification systems and youth restrictions.

February 04, 2026 by chosun.com

Starting April 24, liquid e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine will be regulated the same as conventional cigarettes. Individuals who use such e-cigarettes in no-smoking areas may face fines of up to 100,000 won. The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated on the 3rd that, following the recent revision of the Tobacco Business Act, it will implement related regulations under the National Health Promotion Act, including these measures, beginning April 24. As a result, tobacco manufacturers and importers will be required to include warning images and statements on the packaging and advertising of all tobacco products.

December 04, 2025 by prnewswire.com

Researchers have found that astrocytes, overlooked glial cells in the brain, actively influence nicotine addiction and behavior changes. By regulating glutamine synthetase, an enzyme linked to sensitized behavior, astrocytes play a significant role in nicotine-induced brain changes. This discovery sheds new light on the complex mechanisms of nicotine addiction, emphasizing the communication between neurons and glial cells. While the study is preclinical, it suggests potential therapeutic strategies for smoking cessation efforts. Led by Professor Eun Sang Choe, the research team at Pusan National University highlights the importance of considering both neurons and glia in addiction research.

August 06, 2025 by tobaccoreporter.com

Anti-smoking experts are calling on South Korea’s new government to double cigarette prices and strengthen tobacco regulations to curb smoking rates and protect public health. In a new report, Professor Cho Hong-joon of Ulsan University and Lee Sung-kyu of the Korea Tobacco Control Research Education Center outlined seven key policy recommendations, including raising (...)