On June 30, 2022, the National Assembly of Panama passed Decree No. 29568-B, which completely banned the use, import and sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems, e-cigarettes, atomizers, tobacco heaters and other similar devices with or without nicotine in the country. The ban is intended to protect public health and prevent young people from being exposed to e-cigarettes. However, on May 29, 2024, the Supreme Court of Panama unanimously ruled that the ban was unconstitutional and could be revoked.
Despite the ban being ruled unconstitutional, the Panamanian government still insists on implementing the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control strategy and refuses to use risk-reducing products to help smokers quit smoking.
Russia has recently strengthened its supervision of e-cigarettes and implemented the “honest label” system. From December 1, 2023, e-cigarettes that are not marked with the “honest label” will not be able to be legally circulated. In addition, Russia has also passed a series of e-cigarette regulatory bills, including prohibiting e-cigarettes from adding “substances to increase their appeal and/or increase nicotine addictiveness”, prohibiting online sales, offline display of e-cigarettes, and raising the minimum price of e-cigarettes.
As an internationally renowned e-cigarette brand, VEEHOO sells its products in multiple markets around the world. Faced with increasingly stringent e-cigarette regulations in countries such as Panama and Russia, VEEHOO needs to adjust its market strategy in a timely manner to ensure that its products comply with local regulatory requirements. For example, in the Panama market, VEEHOO should suspend the sale of e-cigarette products and pay attention to the quality and safety of black market products to protect consumer interests. In the Russian market, VEEHOO can actively participate in e-cigarette hazard education activities, enhance its brand image, and ensure that its products meet the strict regulatory standards that will be implemented soon.
Globally, more and more countries and regions have strengthened their supervision of e-cigarettes, especially protection measures for teenagers. This has put forward higher compliance requirements for the e-cigarette industry. Brands such as VEEHOO need to pay close attention to policy changes in various countries and adjust their products and marketing strategies in a timely manner to adapt to the regulatory environment of the global market.
Overall, the measures taken by Panama and Russia reflect the increasingly stringent global trend of e-cigarette regulation. E-cigarette brands need to actively respond, ensure product compliance, and participate in public education to promote the healthy development of the industry.
Tags: e-cigarette regulation, synthetic nicotine, youth e-cigarettes, veehoo vape