Peruvian Congress passes new bill: Strictly prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors

According to El Comercio, the first plenary session of the Peruvian Congress passed draft laws No. 3412, 3437 and 3732 on the control of tobacco and nicotine product consumption with 73 votes in favor, 13 votes against and 8 abstentions.

The bill explicitly prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes or vaping devices to minors and strictly restricts the advertising of such products. In addition, the health warnings on cigarette packaging will be increased from the original 50% to 70% of the surface area, and e-cigarette packaging must also include health warnings.

Luis Picón Quedo, chairman of the Health Committee, emphasized that this legislative initiative is based on the right to health and aims to reduce the serious consequences of tobacco and nicotine consumption and prevent a new generation of consumers from becoming addicted.

Ilich López Ureña, chairman of the Economic Committee, pointed out that the bill can protect national health, especially minors.

"The text proposes a policy of control, information, and education, and imposes restrictions on the consumption of tobacco, nicotine, and their substitutes. In addition, the bill prohibits the advertising of tobacco products and restricts advertising to minors. The sale of tobacco, nicotine, and their substitutes to minors is also expressly prohibited."