Colombia Introduces Bill to Regulate Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products
In a significant move towards addressing the growing use of alternative nicotine delivery systems, Senator Gustavo Moreno Hurtado has filed Bill No. 263 of 2022 before the General Secretariat of the Senate of the Republic in Colombia. The bill, titled “Regulation of Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Administration Products,” aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the production and commercialization of these products while prioritizing the protection of minors and non-consumers.
Objectives of the Bill
The primary objective of Bill No. 263 is to implement evidence-based public policies that reduce the negative impacts of tobacco and nicotine consumption. By providing consumers with accurate and sufficient information, the bill seeks to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their nicotine use, whether that means eliminating or reducing consumption or opting for products that cause the least harm to their health.
Senator Moreno Hurtado emphasizes the importance of this initiative, stating, “The purpose of this law is to create a legal framework applicable to the production and commercialization of nicotine and non-nicotine administration products, which recognizes and guarantees the protection of the rights of minors and the non-consuming population of tobacco and nicotine. The aim is, through the implementation of public policies based on technical and scientific evidence, to reduce the impacts of tobacco and nicotine consumption, providing consumers with sufficient information to eliminate or reduce consumption of these types of products and/or, in a free and informed manner, to choose the product that causes the least impact on their health.”
Responding to a Global Phenomenon
The introduction of Bill No. 263 comes as a response to the rapidly growing popularity of alternative nicotine delivery systems, such as vaporizers and tobacco heating devices. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 48 million people worldwide use these products, compared to the 1.1 billion traditional cigarette smokers.
The bill’s broad scope encompasses all devices for nicotine or non-nicotine consumption, including electronic elements, components, attachments, tanks, accessories, cartridges, and replaceable, disposable, or reusable parts. By regulating these products in a comprehensive manner, the bill aims to ensure that consumers have access to safer alternatives while minimizing the potential for unintended consequences.
Key Prohibitions and Enforcement
To protect minors and non-consumers, Bill No. 263 includes two main prohibitions. First, the use of vending machines and/or mechanical dispensers of electronic nicotine delivery systems is prohibited in places where minors have free access. Second, the sale and distribution of these products to minors is strictly forbidden.
To ensure compliance with these regulations and the overall risk and harm reduction policy, the bill mandates that competent authorities conduct inspection, surveillance, and control procedures at points of sale, premises, and establishments. This enforcement mechanism is crucial to the success of the bill’s objectives, as it helps to prevent access to these products by vulnerable populations.
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