According to the Paraguayan news website ABC Color, preliminary data from the Paraguayan Customs shows that over 8 million e-cigarettes were legally imported into Paraguay in 2021 alone. The local market is flooded with high-nicotine e-cigarettes, significantly exceeding the limits allowed by health regulations. A report from the importers' department suggests that the actual number of products related to the e-cigarette market could be as high as 26 million.
Health authorities suspect that these large quantities of e-cigarettes have been imported using incorrect tariff codes. According to Paraguayan health regulations, the nicotine content in e-liquids for e-cigarettes should not exceed 2%. However, products available in the market often contain 5% nicotine.
Dr. Myriam Osorio, the Complaints and Intervention Director of Paraguay's National Health Regulatory Agency (Dinavisa), has expressed suspicions regarding this matter. As a result, they have requested collaboration with the National Customs Authority and the Prosecutor's Office in order to seek a solution.
A report from the Importer Department suggests that the actual number of products related to the e-cigarette market could be as high as 26 million units, all of which have been imported using incorrect tariff codes.
Starting from 2022, Paraguay will categorize the import of e-cigarettes, pods, and derivatives of e-cigarette products under a single tax code: 85.43.40.00.
According to customs data, Paraguay imported 1.57 million e-cigarettes from January 2022 to June 2023, with a total value of 308.82 billion Guaranis (approximately 310 million yuan). Among them, 97% of the imports came from China.
Dinavisa has reported to the public prosecutor the illegal sales of e-cigarettes. They have pointed out that these products are openly sold in various types of stores, shopping centers, gas stations, etc. Furthermore, their nicotine content (5%) far exceeds the permitted 2% set by Paraguayan regulations.
The health department considers e-cigarettes as a threat to human health, particularly in cases where regulation is insufficient. Government officials express concerns about the rapid spread of unregulated e-cigarettes among young people.
Miguel Marecos, President of the National Union of Directors (Sinadi), has stated that every year, around 400 to 500 students in Paraguay schools are found in possession of e-cigarettes.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
