Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
South Korea to publish first government tests of tobacco harmful substances
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to publish its first government test results on harmful substances in tobacco products, possibly on Oct.
28.
The testing covers 44 substances in conventional and heated tobacco products and 20 in liquid e-cigarettes.
The results are being released under a law that took effect last November and require manufacturers and importers to submit test results for review.
Heated tobacco is a focus because companies have said it can produce fewer harmful substances than conventional cigarettes.
But lower levels of some chemicals do not prove that a product is safer or reduces health risks.
Test conditions and actual user exposure can differ, and more research is needed to judge whether switching fully to heated tobacco lowers disease risk.
The ministry says it will explain the results clearly and gradually expand the list of substances tested.
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to publish its first government test results on tobacco harmful substances, possibly as early as October 28.
The tests cover 44 substances in conventional and heated tobacco products and 20 in liquid e-cigarettes.
The results are intended to provide information under a government-set system, separate from companies’ own research.
The article says reduced levels of some harmful substances do not by themselves show that a product is safer or reduces health risks.
- Who
- South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
- What
- It plans to publish the first government test results on harmful substances in tobacco products.
- When
- As early as October 28, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- To provide information on tobacco harmful substances under a government-set system.
Tobacco manufacturers
World Health Organization
Meaning of reduced harmful substances
Tobacco manufacturers
Manufacturers have highlighted that heated tobacco products can produce fewer harmful substances than conventional cigarettes.
World Health Organization
A reduction in exposure to harmful chemicals does not mean a product is harmless or that health risks are reduced.
A reduction in exposure to harmful chemicals from heated tobacco does not mean that the product becomes harmless or directly leads to a reduction in health risks.
South Korea’s Tobacco Harmful Substance Management Act took effect.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said the first test results would be released, possibly as early as October 28.
- Conventional and heated tobacco tests
- 44 substances, including tar and nicotine
- Liquid e-cigarette tests
- 20 substances, including nicotine, propylene glycol and glycerin
- Possible publication date
- October 28, 2026
- Testing framework
- Tobacco Harmful Substance Management Act, effective November 2025
Sources
Related news
Pope Leo to have surgery to remove an early-detected lung nodule
Worsening vision linked to higher dementia risk in 16-year study
Pope Leo XIV to have surgery to remove early-stage lung nodule
Seven days of strength training changed fat tissue in obese mice
Pope Leo XIV to have lung nodule removed in surgery this week
Blood protein changes linked to memory and brain differences in Down syndrome
Cash rewards increased smoking abstinence in trial of underserved patients
Australian trial finds no clear overall effect from childcare active-play program
Experts urge parents to watch for persistent childhood cancer symptoms
Broken heart syndrome can mimic a heart attack and needs urgent assessment
Brain injuries may contribute to chronic homelessness, Canadian doctor says
