A video depicting secondhand exposure to toxic substances from e-cigarettes smoked inside a car (Image source: YouTube channel Nosmokingkorea @Nosmokingkorea, screenshot)
SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea is grappling with the surge in e-cigarette use, as health experts warn of toxic risks and public frustration grows over indoor vaping by celebrities and ordinary users alike. The government has launched a new campaign emphasizing the dangers of vaping, even as other countries tighten outright bans.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare this month began airing ads under the slogan “Still vaping?” highlighting the risks of secondhand exposure, particularly in enclosed spaces. The move coincides with Singapore’s decision to raise penalties for e-cigarette use, which has been banned there since 2018.
Offenders now face fines of up to 700 Singapore dollars ($520), mandatory rehabilitation for repeat violations, and even dismissal or deportation in certain cases. Thailand, Vietnam and Macau have also outlawed e-cigarettes.
In Korea, cigarette sales have declined in recent years, but e-cigarette sales have nearly doubled since 2018, according to government-commissioned research. While traditional heated tobacco products are regulated under the Tobacco Business Act, many liquid-based e-cigarettes, which often use synthetic nicotine, have evaded similar restrictions. Authorities pledged in July to close that loophole.
Medical experts caution that the belief e-cigarettes are safer than conventional cigarettes is misguided. Studies cited by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that e-cigarette aerosols contain nicotine, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals and carcinogens. “It is wrong to underestimate their toxicity compared to traditional cigarettes,” said Lim Min-kyung, a professor at Inha University College of Medicine.
The era of traditional cigarettes is slowly coming to an end, giving way to the age of e-cigarettes. Yet many smokers remain under the illusion that e-cigarettes are safe, while the harms of secondhand exposure are still being overlooked, experts warn. (Yonhap)
Korea Confronts Rising E-Cigarette Use Amid Health Concerns and Public Backlash
Public discontent is mounting as vaping becomes more visible. Commuters complain of sweet-smelling vapor on buses, workers report colleagues vaping during meetings, and parents express anger at drivers smoking e-cigarettes inside cars with children.
Several celebrities — including Blackpink’s Jennie, actor Ji Chang-wook, and EXO members D.O. and Baekhyun — have been embroiled in controversy after being filmed or photographed vaping indoors, prompting apologies and fines.
Doctors warn that e-cigarette smoke is less noticeable than conventional smoke, increasing the risk of unnoticed secondhand exposure, especially for children. “Flavoring additives and fine particles in e-cigarette vapor have been linked to allergic reactions and respiratory problems,” said Kang Jae-heon, a professor at Hanyang University’s College of Medicine.
With China-backed platforms selling disposable vapes easily and domestic use on the rise, officials and health experts say the challenge now is both regulatory and cultural. “The misconception that vaping is harmless has made secondhand exposure more pervasive,” Professor Lim said. “The danger is not just to the user but to everyone around them.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
