[Photo] S. Korean government warns of “serious risks” of vaping, to consider national ban

The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) advised people to stop using liquid e-cigarettes on Oct. 23, citing instances of “lung damage and even death.” MOHW added that it was pushing to accelerate an investigation into the harmful effects of liquid e-cigarettes and vaping, and advised the public to stay away from e-cigarettes until the full extent of their harmful effects have verified. Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said the ministry was considering pushing a full national ban on liquid e-cigarettes, depending on the results of ongoing studies. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that people stop using e-cigarettes after three deaths were linked to vaping on Sept. 6.