Retailers face jail threat

South Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family yesterday announced that it would be designating heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco products as harmful devices that may not be sold to minors, according to a story in The Korea Herald.

Under current regulations, restrictions on the sale of vapor devices to minors apply only to electronic cigarettes.

There are no restrictions on HNB systems.

Once the new rules go into effect, those who sell HNB products to minors will be subject to a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won ($26,670).