The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said Wednesday that it would reassess cigarette-type antismoking aids to enhance their safety.

These herbal cigarettes are similar to tobacco but do not have nicotine and suppress people’s desire to smoke. In Korea, they are sold as quasi-medicinal products, and the ministry will reassess six products made or imported by six companies.

The reappraisal is aimed to strengthen consumer safety and prove the safety of previously approved herbal cigarettes with the most recent technology.

The ministry will examine test data about inhalation and genetic toxicity caused by their repeated use, overseas approvals of related products, and document on the warning of adverse effects in foreign countries.

The ministry will make the final decision after consultations with experts, and either maintain the approval or cancel the approval of some products that can’t guarantee safety, based on the results.

Copyright © KBR Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution prohibited