Vapes purporting to contain zero nicotine are raising public and government concerns as some of the products have been confirmed to contain lethal substances while remaining largely outside regulatory oversight. The controversial market emerged after the country’s revised Tobacco Business Act, which took effect on April 24, defined synthetic nicotine vapes as tobacco product and enforced taxation that more than doubled their retail prices. It led to a market introduction of vapes not yet fully regulated by the government such as products marketed as nicotine-free or containing nicotine analogues. Consumers unwilling to pay the higher prices but still wanting to smoke quickly responded to the alternatives, with the trend spreading among teenagers as well. Ninety-nine percent of vapes marketed as containing nicotine analogue or zero nicotine are imported from China, with demand rising rapidly. According to Rep. Park Soo-young of main opposition People Power Party, Korea’s import of “nicotine-free” vapes increased to 164 tons last year from 95 tons in 2022. Imports recorded 68 tons