The toxicity of liquid e-cigarettes was confirmed through cell and animal experiments, respectively.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said it has confirmed that three kinds of liquid e-cigarette ingredients, propylene glycol, glycerin, and flavoring substances, reduce cell survival.
Propylene glycol and glycerin were detected in all 112 liquid e-cigarette products distributed in Korea as solvents.
Flavoring substances diacetyl, acetoin, and 2,3-pentanedione were detected in 8 products distributed in Korea.
In the inhalation test using experimental animals, respiratory toxicity was observed when vitamin E acetate was administered over 3.125mg/kg.
Vitamin E Acetate is a substance selected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a cause of lung damage.
However, it was confirmed that a large amount of vitamin E acetate was not detected at once in domestic products.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety detected 0.03 to 0.12 ppm of vitamin E acetate in the liquid phase of three of the 12 products distributed in Korea.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare established a joint private-public investigation team in Korea to prepare electronic cigarette safety management when a case of lung damage or death related to the use of liquid e-cigarettes was reported in the United States in October last year.
The government previously issued a recommendation to discontinue use of liquid e-cigarettes due to concerns about the pandemic.
In Korea, there have been no cases of acute lung injury or death from the use of liquid e-cigarettes.
Currently, an amendment to the'Tobacco Business Act' has been submitted to the National Assembly, stipulating the expansion of the tobacco definition and the mandatory submission of ingredient information.
The government conducts education on liquid e-cigarettes and distributes SNS content to inform children and adolescents about the dangers of tobacco.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has operated a report center for illegal tobacco sales and promotion since August last year, receiving 63 reports and taking corrective action on 45 cases of violation of the law.