Panama Implements New E-Cigarette Regulations on Aug 13

Panama regulates e-cigarette sales use

Panama’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) is set to enforce new regulations on the sale, use, and advertising of electronic cigarettes (vapes), heated tobacco products, and oral nicotine, effective Wednesday, August 13, 2025. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a previous, more restrictive law.

Under Resolution No. 146, a series of strict new rules will be implemented:

  • Mandatory Signage: Establishments must display a visible sign stating, “The sale of electronic cigarettes to minors is prohibited.”
  • Sales to Minors: The sale, distribution, or free provision of these products to anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited.
  • Advertising and Promotion: All forms of advertising, promotion, sponsorship, or propaganda for these products are banned.
  • Public Use Ban: The use of e-cigarettes (with or without nicotine) is prohibited in a wide range of enclosed public and private spaces, including offices, public transport, restaurants, bars, hotels, sports venues, and educational and health institutions.
  • Retail Display: Shops must keep these products out of direct reach of customers, for instance, in closed display cases or behind the counter.

This new Minsa resolution comes after a Supreme Court decision on May 14, 2024, declared Law 315 of 2022 – which had imposed a complete ban on the commercialization and importation of e-cigarettes – unconstitutional due to procedural flaws during its legislative approval. The lawsuit was filed by the Association for Tobacco Harm Reduction in Panama (ARDTP), which argued the previous ban lacked a scientific basis and fueled contraband while stigmatizing users.

Matthew Ma
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