Costa Rica Postpones New Vaping and E-Cigarette Regulations to 2027
The Costa Rican government has issued an executive decree delaying the implementation of its new vaping and e-cigarette regulations until August 6, 2027. Originally scheduled to take effect on August 6 of this year, the postponement gives manufacturers, importers, and retailers more time to align their operations with the Ministry of Health’s standards.
First announced in February, the upcoming regulatory framework establishes tight controls over the production and sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems. Once active, the rules mandate child-proof safety caps on refillable cartridges, leak-free refilling mechanisms, and Spanish-language instructions.
The decree targets product composition and packaging to curb youth appeal through several key measures:
- Nicotine Limits:Â E-liquids are capped at a maximum of 20 mg/mL of nicotine.
- Bottle Sizes:Â Nicotine-containing liquids are restricted to 10 mL bottles, while nicotine-free liquids cannot exceed 20 mL.
- Flavor Restrictions:Â Cartridges and e-liquids featuring dessert, fruit, or spice aromas are prohibited.
- Packaging Bans:Â Labels cannot display food, toys, celebrities, influencers, or fictional characters.
Additionally, the law bans promotional claims suggesting vaping is a “low risk” alternative to smoking. All products must carry health warnings in Spanish and state that sales are restricted to adults within Costa Rica. Advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of these devices will be prohibited when the law takes effect.
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