Vaping presents a ‘serious risk’ to health, according to the South Korean government.
The government advised vapers to stop using e-cigarettes as it carries out an investigation into whether to ban sales of the devices.
It may also strengthen customs procedures for imported e-liquids.
Officials are concerned about the recent spate of lung illnesses in the US linked to vape products.
However, the CDC has said that ‘THC is present in most of the samples tested by FDA to date and most patients report a history of using THC-containing products.’
Minister Park Neung-hoo said:
“Children, juveniles, pregnant women, and people with pulmonary diseases, never use liquid e-cigarettes. Non-smokers, too, never use liquid e-cigarettes from now”
E-cigarettes are more popular than ever but heat-not-burn devices dominate the reduced risk product market.
South Korea banned smoking in enclosed public spaces in 2015. However, around a third of the adult male population continues to smoke tobacco.
But the country aims to reduce smoking prevalence to below 29 percent by 2022.
JUUL Labs launched its flagship device in May this year. The company said in a statement that its products do not contain any harmful substances.
Meanwhile, its competitor KT&G Corp which sells Lil Vapor said that it would cooperate with the government’s policies once the investigation is completed.
Photo by Rist Art on Unsplash
