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E-cigarette vaping in South Korea

Profile
South Korea Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
South Korea Background
Profile
South Korea Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2026-03-20

E-cigarettes are legal in South Korea and subject to a range of regulatory controls. According to that, sales are permitted only through specialised retail outlets, while online purchases are prohibited. Health-related claims about e-cigarettes are not allowed, and the products are taxed at a rate equal to or higher than 50% of that applied to conventional cigarettes. Additionally, all e-cigarette packaging must carry health warnings, and sales are restricted to individuals aged 19 and older. The nicotine content in e-liquids must be below 20 mg/ml, and the use of e-cigarettes is restricted in public places. There are currently no restrictions on flavours of these products. In 2022, an estimated 1.6 million peopel in South Korea were recorded to be current vapers. 3.5% of the adult population were current vapers. This was estimated to be higher among men with a prevalence of 5.6% than among women with a prevalence of 1.3%.

Prevalence

Year Value Reference/Comment
2013 475,578 1A A
2014 1.0 million 1A A
2015 1.8 million 1A A
2016 1.0 million 1A A
2017 1.2 million 1A A
2018 1.9 million 1A A
2019 1.5 million 1A A
2020 1.4 million 1A A
2021 1.1 million 1B B
2021 1.4 million 1A A
2022 1.6 million 1C A
2022 1.6 million 1D C
2023 1.5 million 1E
2023 1.5 million 1F A
References:
  1. 1. https://nosmk.khepi.or.kr/ntcc/eng/subIndex/547.do 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. 1. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-kor.pdf?sfvrsn=7a688835_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  3. 1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11596473/ 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  4. 1. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (2023), Korea Health Statistics 2022: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IX-1), Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong, https://knhanes.kdca.go.kr/knhanes/sub04/sub04_04_01.do. Cited in Park, J. E., Jeong, W. M., Choi, Y. J., Kim, S. Y., Yeob, K. E., & Park, J. H. (2024). Tobacco Use in Korea: Current Epidemiology and Public Health Issues. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 39(45), e328. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e328 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  5. 1. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  6. 1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41657541/ 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
Comments:
  1. Cohort: 19+. World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Adults survey: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2021; National, ages 19+ World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  3. Percentage of adults aged 19 and older who reported the current use World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
Year Value Reference/Comment
2013 1.1% 2A A
2014 2.4% 2A A
2015 4.2% 2A A
2016 2.3% 2A A
2017 2.7% 2A A
2018 4.3% 2A A
2019 3.3% 2A A
2020 3.2% 2A A
2021 2.5% 2B B
2021 3.2% 2A A
2022 3.5% 2C A
2022 3.5% 2D C
2023 3.3% 2E
2023 3.3% 2F A
References:
  1. https://nosmk.khepi.or.kr/ntcc/eng/subIndex/547.do
  2. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-kor.pdf?sfvrsn=7a688835_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11596473/
  4. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (2023), Korea Health Statistics 2022: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IX-1), Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong, https://knhanes.kdca.go.kr/knhanes/sub04/sub04_04_01.do. Cited in Park, J. E., Jeong, W. M., Choi, Y. J., Kim, S. Y., Yeob, K. E., & Park, J. H. (2024). Tobacco Use in Korea: Current Epidemiology and Public Health Issues. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 39(45), e328. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e328
  5. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41657541/
Comments:
  1. Cohort: 19+.
  2. Adults survey: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2021; National, ages 19+
  3. Percentage of adults aged 19 and older who reported the current use
Year Value Reference/Comment
2021 0.9% 3A A
2022 1.3% 3B B
2023 1.3% 3C
References:
  1. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-kor.pdf?sfvrsn=7a688835_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  2. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (2023), Korea Health Statistics 2022: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IX-1), Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong, https://knhanes.kdca.go.kr/knhanes/sub04/sub04_04_01.do. Cited in Park, J. E., Jeong, W. M., Choi, Y. J., Kim, S. Y., Yeob, K. E., & Park, J. H. (2024). Tobacco Use in Korea: Current Epidemiology and Public Health Issues. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 39(45), e328. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e328
  3. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2021; National, ages 19+
  2. Percentage of adults aged 19 and older who reported the current use
Year Value Reference/Comment
2021 4.2% 3A A
2022 5.6% 3B B
2023 5.3% 3C
References:
  1. WHO. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-kor.pdf?sfvrsn=7a688835_3&download=true. Accessed: 8 August 2025.
  2. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (2023), Korea Health Statistics 2022: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IX-1), Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Osong, https://knhanes.kdca.go.kr/knhanes/sub04/sub04_04_01.do. Cited in Park, J. E., Jeong, W. M., Choi, Y. J., Kim, S. Y., Yeob, K. E., & Park, J. H. (2024). Tobacco Use in Korea: Current Epidemiology and Public Health Issues. Journal of Korean Medical Science, 39(45), e328. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e328
  3. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2021; National, ages 19+
  2. Percentage of adults aged 19 and older who reported the current use
References:
  1. 1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41657541/ 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41657541/
  3. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. Cohort: 19+. World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Cohort: 19+.

Product promotion

References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Allowed or banned at place of sale or allowed or banned in all media.

Regulation

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Allowed 1A
2024 Allowed 1B
References:
  1. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
  2. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Yes
2
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
  2. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/

Availability

References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.

Regulations and restrictions

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier YES
2024 YES 1A A
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Graphic health warnings.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Yes: 19 years
2021 Yes: 19 years 2A
References:
  1. Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=128. Accessed: 5 August 2025.
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier NO
2024 NO 1A A
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
Comments:
  1. Harmful substances are not allowed.
Below 20mg/ml
1
2024
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier YES
2021 YES 2A
References:
  1. Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=128. Accessed: 5 August 2025.
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
  2. Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=128. Accessed: 5 August 2025.
Comments:
  1. Graphic health warnings.
  2. Harmful substances are not allowed.

Tax

Greater than 50%, or equivalent, of those levied on cigarettes
1
2024
References:
  1. Anti Smoking Global Index. Vaping Products. Available at: https://antismoking.global/world-map. Accessed: 22 July 2025.
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.