title: Public health challenges of electronic cigarettes in South Korea.
abstract: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarrettes) were recently introduced and advertised as a smoking cession device in South Korea. As the social norm to quit smoking has gained hold in the country, the number of e-cigarette users is growing rapidly. This phenomenon should be urgently considered, because of the lack of research that has been conducted to examine the safety of e-cigarettes and its efficacy as a smoking cessation aid.  This paper raises several public health concerns on e-cigarettes in South Korea. Uncertain regulations of the government on e-cigarettes are contributing to an increase of e-cigarette users and allowing the e-cigarette industry to circumvent existing regulations. The aggressive marketing activity of this industry is also a core factor that is responsible for the rapid increase of e-cigarette use, in particular among the youth. Following the enforcement of tobacco control, some cigarette smokers may be encouraged to purchase e-cigarettes in order to circumvent the regulations, even though the dual use of e-cigarette and cigarette may be more harmful.  Until there is clear evidence of the e-cigarette's safety, it is recommended that the industry's marketing and promotional activities be banned and closely monitored, and public campaigns be initiated to educate the public regarding e-cigarettes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: Sungkyu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Heejin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimm
authors.forename: Ji Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Sun Ha
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004581:Electronics; D005260:Female; D033161:Government Regulation; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine; D015995:Prevalence; D015980:Public Health Practice; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012449:Safety; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine