Referrals for investigation under Tobacco Business Act; hazard assessment due by year-end

Sales suspension recommended; online platforms asked to block products; import controls tightened

Regulation of 6-methylnicotine under review; related ministries mount joint response

Nicotine was detected in 13 of 105 liquid inhalation products marketed online as "nicotine-free," while 6-methylnicotine — a nicotine analog — was found in 12 others, the government said Thursday.

The government said it would refer products in which nicotine was detected to investigators for a possible Tobacco Business Act violation, and would complete a hazard assessment of 6-methylnicotine by year-end before establishing a separate regulatory framework for the unregulated substance.

Electronic cigarettes, including liquid vaping products, are displayed at a store in Seoul. Online sales of liquid e-cigarettes made with synthetic nicotine were banned and mandatory health warning labels required starting April 24, bringing them in line with conventional cigarettes. [Yonhap]
Electronic cigarettes, including liquid vaping products, are displayed at a store in Seoul. Online sales of liquid e-cigarettes made with synthetic nicotine were banned and mandatory health warning labels required starting April 24, bringing them in line with conventional cigarettes. [Yonhap]

The Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Ministry of Education and Korea Customs Service announced Thursday the findings of a probe into nicotine-free liquid inhalation products sold online, along with follow-up measures.

Of the 105 top-selling "nicotine-free" products surveyed on online sales platforms, nicotine was detected in 13, at concentrations ranging from 3.53 to 11.3 milligrams per gram, with an average of 8.17 mg/g. The nicotine analog 6-methylnicotine was found in 12 products, at concentrations of 1.19 to 2.97 mg/g, averaging 1.77 mg/g.

However, 6-methylnicotine remains an unregulated novel chemical compound even after an April amendment to the Tobacco Business Act brought synthetic nicotine under tobacco regulations. The government said recent research has shown 6-methylnicotine exhibits effects similar to nicotine and has been reported to cause cytotoxicity, but that it has not undergone sufficient hazard evaluation domestically or abroad and remains an unverified substance.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy said it plans to refer products in which nicotine was detected to investigative authorities and conduct a thorough review for possible Tobacco Business Act violations.

Unauthorized tobacco manufacturing carries a penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won ($19,500). Importing or selling tobacco without registering as a tobacco importer-seller, or selling directly to consumers without retailer designation, can result in up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 5 million won.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recommended that businesses selling products in which nicotine analogs were detected suspend sales, and asked online platforms including Naver and Coupang Inc. to block listings of those products. The Ministry of Education said it plans to inform students that liquid inhalation products marketed as nicotine-free may still contain nicotine or unverified chemical substances and can be as harmful as conventional tobacco, and to notify parents through school newsletters and similar channels.

Korea Customs Service said imports of nicotine analogs totaled about 15 metric tons from October last year through May this year, with about 13 tons arriving this year alone — a sign of rapidly rising inflows.

In response, starting June 15 the agency made it mandatory to submit a Material Safety Data Sheet and declare ingredients when filing import declarations for nicotine analogs. It also stepped up chemical composition analysis to block attempts to import natural or synthetic nicotine through "nicotine-free" product categories.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it plans to complete its hazard assessment of 6-methylnicotine this year while conducting parallel research to prepare for the emergence of additional nicotine analogs. Related ministries said they would continue monitoring liquid inhalation products for nicotine analog content and develop regulatory and management measures based on the assessment results.

"Consumers should exercise particular caution, as liquid inhalation products marketed as nicotine-free may still contain nicotine analogs — unverified chemical substances," the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said.


y2k@heraldcorp.com