Closure of Vape Shops in Caracas following Government Ban

On August 29th, according to a report by El Universal, numerous shops and stores in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, offering e-cigarette products have closed following the ban on sales and distribution of such products since August 2nd. Meanwhile, some other businesses are adapting by diversifying their product offerings in order to comply with the new law.

After the release of Resolution 414 in Official Gazette No. 42,682, the sale, distribution, and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems and various types of e-cigarettes have been officially banned domestically. As a result, it is evident that shops selling e-cigarettes in Caracas have ceased operations.

Coffe Vapers in Los Naranjos, Todo Vapor Store Venezuela in Terrazas del Ávila, and Vapear Venezuela in Chuao and Altamira have announced temporary closures and suspended selling products through social media platforms.

Walfaing Vapor store, located on Baralt Street, announced that they will no longer be offering such devices and are currently revamping their social media accounts as they plan to shift focus towards selling technology devices such as smartwatches and headphones.

In the field of online retail, the e-cigarette representative on Instagram has disclosed that they are currently still closed and have plans to reopen, offering different types of products.

However, there are still some stores, such as @vapeospot, that continue to sell e-cigarette products. When asked via WhatsApp if they still have stock, they responded affirmatively. However, their catalog does not display any products related to e-cigarettes.

Restaurants, nightclubs, and open spaces used to allow the use of e-cigarettes in public areas based on the belief that the water vapor produced by them posed no harm to users and those around them. However, since the implementation of Ordinance No. 414, the use of e-cigarettes has been banned in these establishments, even within designated smoking areas.

Several restaurants have already adapted to this regulation, no longer allowing the use of e-cigarettes or even hookahs on their premises.

Additionally, a user of AK Bar nightclub, located in the Tamanaco commercial center, stated that previously participants were allowed to use e-cigarettes outside the smoking area, but now it is prohibited to use such devices in any area. However, the use of hookah pipes is still permitted.

Modo Caracas and La Claqueta, among other establishments, also prohibit the use of e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes. One user noticed that at La Claqueta, individuals attempting to use e-cigarettes in the venue have been warned multiple times.

According to Regulation No. 42,682 of the Official Report, the sale and use of nicotine-managed electronic devices and similar non-nicotine systems are prohibited. Furthermore, the sale of any form of e-cigarette is banned, as well as the sale of traditional tobacco and heated tobacco products such as IQOS.