First Disclosure of Harmful Ingredients in Tobacco Products

The tobacco industry, which has focused on expanding the electronic cigarette market, is now facing a new variable with the disclosure of harmful ingredient information. The government has publicly released the harmful ingredient results for traditional and heated tobacco products for the first time, warning against promotions suggesting that certain products are less harmful. While the industry accepts the test results, there are concerns that the differences in ingredient detection levels among tobacco types have not been adequately explained.
 
On October 29, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, among other relevant agencies, released the harmful ingredient test results for 465 tobacco products sold in South Korea, following a review by the Tobacco Harm Management Policy Committee. The results included 256 traditional cigarettes, 104 heated tobacco products, and 105 liquid electronic cigarettes. This marks the first time the government has disclosed harmful ingredient test results by tobacco product type.
 
This announcement comes as the electronic cigarette market is rapidly growing. While traditional cigarette sales have decreased from 3.44 billion packs in 2017 to 2.87 billion packs in 2024, electronic cigarette sales have surged from 80 million packs to 660 million packs during the same period.
 
Major tobacco companies have continued to expand competition this year, focusing on non-combustible products. KT&G launched the 'Lil Tonino Lamborghini' last month to strengthen its heated tobacco product lineup. Philip Morris Korea introduced the liquid electronic cigarette 'Vibe In Prime' in August, while BAT Rothmans released a new heated tobacco product, 'Glo Hyper Pro Plus,' in the same month. JTI also launched the heated tobacco product 'Ploom Aura' in April and expanded its dedicated stick offerings this month.
 
The detailed test results revealed differences in the detection of harmful ingredients between traditional cigarettes and heated tobacco products. Among the 11 carcinogenic substances tested, all were detected in traditional cigarettes, while only four were found in heated tobacco products. The remaining seven substances were below the quantification limit in all heated tobacco products.
 
Formaldehyde, a notable Group 1 carcinogen, was detected at levels ranging from 39.5 to 181 micrograms per cigarette in traditional cigarettes, compared to 5.4 to 12.1 micrograms in heated tobacco products. Benzopyrene was found in 255 of the 256 traditional cigarette products tested, but only one of the 104 heated tobacco products.
 
However, the government emphasized that a lower detection level of specific substances does not automatically mean that a product is less harmful. Health risks can vary based on the toxicity of individual substances, combined exposure, and usage amounts.
 
An industry representative stated, "The test figures are scientifically accurate, so we have no particular objections to the numbers themselves," but added, "It would be more helpful for smokers if the differences in detection levels among substances were also explained."
 
Attention is now on whether tobacco companies will change their marketing strategies. The government has announced it will continuously monitor advertisements and promotions that may mislead consumers into thinking certain products are less harmful by selectively presenting or simply comparing test results. The government is also reviewing management measures for flavored substances like menthol. Plans are in place to expedite the timing for testing harmful ingredients in new products to within one month of their market launch and to gradually expand the list of substances tested.
 
The disclosure of harmful ingredients does not immediately lead to an increase in cigarette prices. The government announcement did not include any confirmed details regarding tobacco tax increases or adjustments to manufacturers' selling prices.
 
An industry representative remarked, "We are cooperating with the government's testing and information disclosure intentions, and we will respond in accordance with relevant standards, even if additional policies are introduced in the future."