The government is pushing a plan to ban minors from entering and working at unmanned e-cigarette stores.
On the 14th, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said it will preannounce through next month 6 a draft notice to designate unmanned e-cigarette retailers as establishments where minors are banned from entry and employment, in order to actively block the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes to minors. The move reflects on-the-ground concerns that minors can buy e-cigarettes at unmanned stores without sales staff.
The rules apply to businesses where owners or employees are not on-site and that sell e-cigarette devices and liquids through vending machines and the like. These businesses must verify the age of entrants, post notices on the premises that minors are restricted from entry and employment, and take necessary measures to block minors from entering.
Yoon Se-jin, youth policy director at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "Because unmanned e-cigarette retailers do not have sales staff on-site, there are limits to blocking minors' entry and purchases in advance at the scene," and added, "During the preannouncement period, we will listen closely to diverse views on the ground and meticulously refine the system so minors cannot easily access e-cigarettes."