Posting an Electronic Cigarette Experience on YouTube Results in a "3 Million Won Fine"

Partial Amendment to the National Health Promotion Act Approved at the Cabinet Meeting
Fines for Posting Product Reviews and Comparison Content Online
Prohibition of Promotional Activities for Conventional Cigarettes, Electronic Cigarettes, and Smoking Devices

After the government recommended stopping the use of liquid-type electronic cigarettes last October, a flavored liquid electronic cigarette product is being removed from the shelf at a convenience store in Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] From now on, posting electronic cigarette reviews online for profit will be prohibited. This applies even if the income is generated through video platform providers like YouTube, rather than receiving money or goods directly from tobacco manufacturers or sellers.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the partial amendment to the National Health Promotion Act containing these provisions was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 21st. This amendment was prepared to prohibit acts that induce tobacco consumption. Currently, promotional activities are only prohibited when tobacco manufacturers target retailers. Promotional activities directly targeting consumers, such as free trials of new products or providing discount coupons for electronic cigarette devices, have not been regulated, but such activities will now be prohibited.

Specifically, the regulation applies to tobacco under the Tobacco Business Act, tobacco-like products containing nicotine that cause nicotine addiction, and smoking devices for electronic cigarettes as defined by related regulations. Anyone posting or distributing usage information such as personal experiences with these products or product comparisons on the internet or other information and communication networks accessible to anyone is prohibited if done for profit. Violations will be subject to fines of up to 3 million KRW.

Profit-making purposes include not only receiving money or goods from manufacturers, importers, or sellers of these products but also attracting advertising. When individuals upload videos on YouTube and achieve a certain number of views, the revenue-sharing structure involves YouTube as the platform provider rather than individual advertisers, and this method is also subject to regulation. Previously uploaded videos may also be subject to sanctions.

Jung Young-gi, Director at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "The specific application timing is undecided, but if revenue is generated after the enforcement date following the announcement, fines can be imposed even on past content."

Additionally, acts of providing or advertising the provision of money or goods to consumers, offering usage opportunities through means other than sales, or directly demonstrating usage methods are prohibited, with fines of up to 5 million KRW imposed for violations. Acts of labeling or advertising tobacco-like products as tobacco or in a way that may cause confusion with tobacco will be fined up to 3 million KRW. These provisions will take effect only after the amendment is passed by the National Assembly. Director Jung said, "This will effectively regulate various tobacco promotional activities that have flourished by exploiting previous regulatory gaps."

Furthermore, regarding the National Health Promotion Levy imposed on tobacco, those who have no record of delinquency or intentional evasion of the levy in the past three years may be exempted from collateral requirements. If the levy is not fully paid within the deadline, the collateral will be used to cover unpaid levies and additional charges. The amendment also includes provisions for local governments to incorporate the annual implementation plans of the National Health Promotion Comprehensive Plan into the regional health care plans under the Regional Health Act when drafting them.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.