Disclaimer: This information is intended for general guidance and should not be considered legal advice.

Korea and Southeast Asia Regulations

While e-cigarettes and vaping are growing in popularity in general, laws and regulations about their import, sale, and use vary in different countries. It’s critical to stay aware of the changes to national and local laws and restrictions as the market continues to expand throughout the world. One example is the emerging market of Southeast Asia.

In addition to legal compliance, product development is important to brand success. Daily Manufacturing is a leading supplier of private label e-liquid for e-cigarette and vaping devices. We can facilitate your entry into this competitive market with high-quality e-liquid products that carry your branding and packaging. Here, we’ll look at the Southeast Asian vaping and e-cigarette market and some of the major regulations in place in this region.

General Information on Vaping Regulations

Vaping and e-cigarette products, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), are growing in popularity worldwide; although availability and market penetration differ depending on the region and country in question. In general, the US and Europe represent the largest portion of the market.

The Southeast Asian region, in contrast, is a far smaller market. According to Statista, per person revenue in this region is expected to reach $1.25 in 2024 (in US dollars), and revenue from the e-cigarette and vape market is projected to reach $ 0.7 billion in 2024 (in US dollars). The Southeast Asian market is anticipated to have a CAGR of 1.85% between 2024 and 2029.

Country-Specific Regulations

There are several countries in this region, and their regulations and restrictions vary greatly, as noted below. Always check with local, regional, and national sources to verify current legal conditions.

Southeast Asia

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is an intergovernmental organization of ten countries, each with its own national-level tobacco control laws.

Strict Regulations

  • Brunei: The Tobacco Order of 2005 prohibits the sale, import, or offer for sale of e-cigarettes.
  • Cambodia: The 2014 “Circular on Measures to Prevent and Terminate Consumptions, Sales, and Imports” prohibits all forms of consumption, importation, and distribution of e-cigarettes.
  • Thailand: The 2014 “Notification of the Ministry of Commerce Prohibition” bans the import, sale, and services of e-cigarettes.
  • Singapore: The “Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act” of 2014 categorizes e-cigarettes as prohibited tobacco products, banning their distribution, importation, and sale.
  • Laos: The import, sale, and use of e-cigarettes was prohibited as of 2018.

Limited or No Regulations

  • Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Burma: These countries lack specific e-cigarette provisions or regulations in their primary tobacco control laws. Some may have national, state, or city restrictions with regard to advertising, flavors, taxation, use in public, and use by age.

Korea

In Korea, 20.1% of the adult population (8.9 million users) identify as smokers. In South Korea, e-liquids containing nicotine are classified as tobacco products, and e-cigarette devices are classified as consumer goods. Note these regulations:

  • Age Restriction: Children under 19 cannot purchase e-cigarettes containing nicotine.
  • Health Warnings: All advertisements and packaging must include health warnings.
  • Advertising Restrictions: Magazine advertisements are limited to a maximum of ten times annually.
  • Public Usage: Vaping is prohibited on public transportation and in public places, but it is allowed in designated smoking areas.
  • Taxation and Fees: E-cigarettes are subject to certain charges and taxes, including tobacco consumption, national health promotion, individual consumption, and local education taxes, proportionate to 1,799 won (USD 1.30) per ml of nicotine liquid. There is also a 10% Value Added Tax (VAT) and a waste charge of 24 won (USD 0.017) per 20 cartridges.

White Label E-Liquid Services

Vaping regulations vary worldwide, and it is essential to understand the laws in each country of interest. If you are exploring Southeast Asian or other markets, Daily Manufacturing’s turnkey solutions can help. We are an FDA-registered, experienced provider of e-liquid products for distribution in over 30 countries, and we are ISO 9001:2015 certified.

Contact us or request a quote to learn more about our custom e-liquid services.