The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on Thursday announced that it would be designating heat-not-burn tobacco products as harmful substances that cannot be sold to minors.


Under current regulations, restrictions on sales to minors apply only to e-cigarettes that are used to inhale nicotine-laced liquid. There are no restrictions on heat-not-burn systems that use electronic devices to heat tobacco sticks and produce vapor.

Once the new rules go into effect, those who sell heat-not-burn products to minors will be subject to a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won ($26,670), as well as a 1 million won fine for each offense. 

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)