Chile strengthens regulations on e-cigarette sales, bans sales to minors and restricts advertising in public places, health authorities intensify supervision to ensure compliance with new law

Key Points:

·Chile's new law strengthens regulations on e-cigarette sales by prohibiting sales to minors, tightening advertising restrictions, and prohibiting consumption of e-cigarettes in public places. 

·The health department will enhance supervision to ensure the enforcement of these regulations.

2Firsts, September 16, 2025 - According to el reportero's report on September 15, Chile has expanded the scope of Law 21.642 by officially implementing it, bringing e-cigarettes, SEAN/SESN, accessories, and nicotine and non-nicotine e-liquids under regulation as part of Law 19.419 on tobacco. The health authority in Tarapacá (SEREMI de Salud) has begun inspecting sales points for these products.

The new law strengthens the regulatory functions of the health authority, giving it the power to initiate health investigations and impose penalties such as fines, confiscation, or closure of facilities. The monitoring of beaches, rivers, and lakes is carried out by the maritime police.

The bill clearly states that these products are prohibited from being sold to minors under the age of 18, and sales are also banned within 100 meters of medical facilities and schools. Additionally, advertising and sales activities are restricted, vending machines must remove related products, health warning labels must be prominently displayed on packaging, and consuming in public places is prohibited.

Suppliers must clearly state the ingredients and additives in their products, and ensure that the nicotine content does not exceed 45 mg/ml. David Valle Mancilla, Director of the Tarapaca Health Department, stated that the implementation of this law is crucial for protecting public health, especially that of children and adolescents. He emphasized that the inspection team will strengthen checks on sales points, public places, and products to ensure compliance with the regulations.

According to the new law, all e-cigarettes and e-liquid packaging must have prominent health warnings. Products containing nicotine must be labeled as addictive and restricted to adult sales only, covering at least 20% of the packaging. Nicotine-free products must also be labeled as restricted to adult purchases, covering at least 10% of the packaging. Valerio Mancinelli stated that they will oversee compliance with the new regulations at all sales points.

According to the specific provisions of Law No. 21.642, health institutions are responsible for enforcing Law No. 19.419 on tobacco and its amendments. Supervision of rivers, lakes, and beaches is the responsibility of the respective police departments, and any violations should be reported to the health department. Violators will be punished.

The new regulations will include a ban on selling and distributing novel tobacco and e-cigarette products to minors, as well as a prohibition on selling them near schools and health facilities. Product packaging must include combination warnings, and smoking or using e-cigarettes will be prohibited in designated non-smoking areas. Warning signs prohibiting smoking or vaping e-cigarettes must be displayed in public places.

In addition, product packaging must clearly indicate ingredients, prohibit misleading health claims, ensure safety, and prevent access by minors. Nicotine e-liquid must not exceed legal concentration limits.