Market & legal data in the tobacco alternatives sector in Panama

4th November 2024: Panama: A spokesperson for Panamá Emprende – a part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that deals with commercial and industrial activity – told TobaccoIntelligence that the sale of heated tobacco products (HTPs) falls under the “tobacco category” of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC). However, the spokesperson did not clarify if tobacco legislation would apply, and TobaccoIntelligence is seeking further clarification. This follows a Supreme Court decision declaring law 315 – which prohibited the use, import, and sale of heated tobacco – unconstitutional.
15th May 2024: Panama: The Supreme Court has declared law 315 – which prohibits the use, importation and sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco – unconstitutional. The Association for the Reduction of the Harm of Smoking (the plaintiff) based its case on a formal issue, claiming that the legislative approval process did not comply with constitutional provisions.
9th November 2023: World: The tenth Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) has been postponed to 2024. COP10 was due to be held this month in Panama, but will now be held there at an undetermined date in 2024, according to FCTC authorities. They attributed the delay to “the current security situation in Panama”.
26th September 2023: Panama: The Supreme Court of Justice admitted a claim of unconstitutionality against Law 315, which prohibits the use, importation and commercialisation of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, press reports. The plaintiffs, the Association for the Reduction of the Harm of Smoking, are basing their case on a formal issue, claiming that the legislative approval process did not comply with constitutional provisions. The lawsuit will now be analysed by the court.
8th August 2023: Panama: The Association for the Reduction of the Harm of Smoking has filed a suit asking the Supreme Court to declare Law 315 unconstitutional, press reports. While the suit specifically mentions e-cigarettes only, scrapping Law 315 would also end the current ban on the use and sale of heated tobacco.
16th June 2023: EU: The minutes of the meeting of the European Commission (EC) Expert Group on Tobacco Policy that took place on 3rd May 2023 have been published today (16th June). Issues discussed included the revision of the Council Recommendation on Smoke-free Environments, recommending novel products be brought in line with combustible products, and the ongoing evaluation of the legislative framework for tobacco control. During the meeting, special relevance was placed on the tenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), to be held in Panama in November 2023. The EC stressed the importance of EU member states speaking with one voice on all agenda items, especially because the ninth session was held virtually, so all substantive decisions were deferred to COP10.
1st July 2022: Panama: A law that forbids heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and other devices, with or without nicotine, was enacted today (1st July). The law makes an exception for free-trade zones, whose purpose is to export and re-export to a third country.

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Alternative tobacco and nicotine products in Panama

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