A vending machine selling synthetic-nicotine e-liquid is installed at an unmanned e-cigarette shop on Hongdae Street in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 17th. /Courtesy of Kim Gwan-rae

On the 17th in Mapo District, Seoul, at an unmanned e-cigarette store. Various e-cigarettes and liquid products were listed on the vending machine screen. When one product was selected, a notice popped up telling the user to place an ID for "adult verification."

Instead of an ID, we placed a regular card. After about five seconds of showing the message "recognizing ID," it immediately moved to the payment screen. The adult verification process was effectively meaningless.

On the afternoon of the 17th, at an unmanned e-cigarette shop on Hongdae Street in Mapo-gu, Seoul, the adult verification process is completed even when a check card is placed on the ID scanner of the vending machine, immediately switching to the payment screen to purchase a product. /Courtesy of Lee Ho-jun

◇ Even if you place a card instead of an ID, it "passes"

Cases were found in which adult verification was not properly conducted at unmanned e-cigarette stores operating 24 hours. It is a situation where teenagers can easily access e-cigarettes.

ChosunBiz inspected five unmanned e-cigarette stores in Mapo District, Seoul, on the 17th and found that at two of them, adult verification was approved even when only a card similar in form to an ID was placed. There were virtually no restrictions on minors buying e-cigarettes or liquid cigarettes.

There were also loopholes at stores requiring adult verification. A locker was installed where IDs could be deposited, and it was explained that entering the first six digits of the resident registration number would unlock it.

Contrary to the description, the door opened even when arbitrary numbers such as "123456" were entered. Not only could a minor take someone else's ID to buy e-cigarettes, there was a risk of theft and misuse.

On the afternoon of the 17th, an ID storage box at an unmanned e-cigarette shop on Hongdae Street in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Normally, after pressing the ID find function and entering the correct first digits of the resident registration number, the box containing that ID opens. However, even when the reporter entered the unrelated numbers 123456, a box containing an ID opened. /Courtesy of Kim Gwan-rae

◇ "Revised Tobacco Business Act" takes effect soon, but on-site gaps remain

On online communities and social media (SNS), it is easy to find posts sharing information on unmanned stores with lax adult verification. One post topped 300,000 views.

As the problem repeated, the law was revised. A revised Tobacco Business Act, which restricts where vending machines for e-cigarettes including synthetic nicotine can be installed and mandates adult verification devices, will take effect on the 24th. However, if, after the law takes effect, any card can still substitute for an ID as is currently the case, it will be hard to expect effectiveness.

On the afternoon of the 17th, at an unmanned e-cigarette shop on Hongdae Street in Mapo-gu, Seoul. An ID storage box that opened after entering random numbers contains a citizen's driver's license born in 1996. /Courtesy of Kim Gwan-rae

◇ Teenage e-cigarette smoking rate "unchanged"

Unmanned e-cigarette stores have long been pointed to as channels through which teenagers can easily access e-cigarettes.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the "current use rate of tobacco products among adolescents" was 5.4% for male students and 2.8% for female students last year. That is nearly half of what it was five years ago. This indicator refers to the percentage who used conventional cigarettes or e-cigarettes on at least one day in the past 30 days.

The decline in conventional cigarette smoking played a big role. The problem is that the use rates of liquid and heated e-cigarettes have fluctuated without a clear downward trend. Among male students, the heated e-cigarette use rate has recently hovered around 3–4%.

Experts said that if unmanned stores are not properly managed, it will be difficult to block teenage smoking. Heo Chang-deok, a professor of sociology at Yeungnam University, said, "Along with education targeting teenagers, management and supervision of unmanned e-cigarette stores are important," and noted, "Authorities should not stop at granting permits but should also conduct regular on-site inspections."

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.