Chile has recently adopted a new law regulating both e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. The law is one of the most elaborate pieces of legislation in South America and a clear change of course from neighbouring countries' bans. Now, harm reduction advocates hope that Chile will set a precedent for other countries in the region, where views on vejpning vary widely.
Weapons bans in various degrees and forms seem to be sweeping across the world. As Vejpkollen reports on current country after country is introducing some form of ban, while fewer and fewer people talk about cigarette smoking as the bigger problem. In Asia, total bans on the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of vejp products have become more or less the norm. South American countries have so far followed suit, with Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina opting for bans. But - now Chile is emerging on the scene with a different, perhaps more balanced approach.
Weed separated from tobacco
Law 21.642, as the new law is called, clearly separates vejp products from tobacco products. Although the law falls under the tobacco regulation, vejp products are thus classified differently from traditional tobacco products.
Chile also introduces a nicotine limit based on research: the maximum nicotine content is set at 45 mg/ml, which is significantly higher than the EU limit of 20 mg/ml.
As regards prohibition, Chile is content to ban sales to minors.
In addition, the law contains elements on regulated advertising - where it is allowed to a certain extent, mainly to inform consumers about alternatives to cigarettes. Manufacturers must also declare product content to the country's Ministry of Health.
Latin America faces choices
Chile's new law comes at a time when several Latin American countries are grappling with how to approach vejp and other alternative nicotine products.
Overall, Chile seems to have looked more to countries like Japan, the UK and Sweden than to its neighbours. The 'We are innovation' page highlights the three countries as positive examples, mentioning that in Sweden in particular, smoking is down to a record low of 5.3%, while Japan has reduced cigarette sales by 52%. In the UK, smoking has fallen from 16.4% to 10.4% in just eight years - thanks in part to an active promotion of vejpning as a public health tool.
Possible for more countries
Chile's new legislation shows that it is possible to combine consumer protection and public health with continued innovation, writes Federico N. Fernández, CEO of We are innovation. "Instead of stopping access to alternative products altogether, Chile is regulating the market in a way that can reduce smoking while protecting young people.
