Chile Enforces New Vaping Law, Equating E-Cigarettes with Tobacco
Chile has begun enforcing its newly enacted vaping law, Ley 21.642, which significantly expands tobacco restrictions to include electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and their liquids, regardless of nicotine content. Health authorities in the Tarapacá region have initiated inspections in the cities of Iquique and Alto Hospicio to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
The law now prohibits the sale of all vaping products to individuals under 18 and bans their commercialization within a 100-meter radius of schools and healthcare facilities. All packaging must feature prominent health warnings, similar to those on traditional cigarette packs, covering at least 20% of the container and clearly stating if the product contains addictive nicotine. Even nicotine-free products must be labeled as “exclusive for adults.”
Advertising is also heavily restricted, with prohibitions on any promotion that associates vaping with a healthy or “natural” lifestyle. Public use is now banned in the same places as smoking, including enclosed public spaces, public transport, educational and health centers, as well as beaches, rivers, and lakes. Manufacturers must now disclose all product components and adhere to a maximum nicotine concentration limit of 45 mg/ml.
David Valle Mancilla, the Tarapacá Health SEREMI, stated, “This is a significant advance in protecting health, especially for children and adolescents.” Businesses that violate the law risk sanctions including fines, temporary closures, and product confiscation.
- South Korea Escalates Tobacco Warnings with Blunt, Fatalistic Labels - June 22, 2026
- Magnolia Commissioner Proposes Ordinance to Ban Vape Shops - June 22, 2026
- Belarus Moves to Ban Vape and E-Cigarette Advertising Under New Bill - June 22, 2026
