Argentina has officially scrapped its long‑standing ban on electronic cigarettes and other nicotine alternatives. The government published Resolution 549/2026 in the official gazette, creating a full regulatory framework for products like vapes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches.
Instead of the outright prohibition that was in place for years, the new rules focus on registration, product traceability, and quality standards. Any manufacturer or retailer wanting to operate in Argentina now has to comply with this system. According to government sources who spoke to Infobae, the goal is simple: give the state the tools it actually needs to monitor, control, and penalize irregular sales of these products.
Why the change? The black market was already running the show
Officials admit that the old ban didn’t stop people from vaping or using nicotine pouches – it just pushed everything underground. These products have been widely available through unofficial channels, but with zero traceability, no ingredient checks, and not a single peso paid in taxes. The government’s own description calls it a “completely black market.”
Before this decision, the National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT), backed by the Ministry of Health, enforced a very restrictive regime. ANMAT’s Resolution 3226/2011 had banned the import, distribution, sale, and advertising of e‑cigarettes and related devices. Then in 2023, Resolution 565/2023 went even further, toughening the ban and extending it to heated tobacco products. Without health authorisation, none of these items could be legally sold or imported.
As for nicotine pouches – they weren’t specifically regulated before, but they were under health watch, and medical associations had filed complaints against them. In practice, all these products ended up being sold illegally, with no official oversight whatsoever.
What the new framework actually says
Under the new regime, no product can be sold until it’s registered. Companies have to declare all ingredients, meet quality standards, and follow strict limits on what’s allowed – including nicotine concentration, banned substances, and manufacturing conditions.
One of the most notable changes: flavoured e‑cigarettes are out. Government sources say experts point to flavours as the main reason teenagers start using these products in the first place.
The new rules were put together by Argentina’s economy ministry, health ministry, ANMAT, and the chief of cabinet’s office. The plan isn’t just about health – it’s also about creating a formal tax system for these products, with different rates depending on the category. Officials stress that they’re not creating a new market from scratch; they’re bringing order to one that already exists, just illegally.
From smuggling to traceability – and taxes
For the first time, authorities will have a real way to track these products, restrict ingredients, and hold registered manufacturers and sellers accountable. Unregistered products remain illegal.
The government’s message is that this isn’t about encouraging nicotine use – it’s about managing a reality that’s already there. On the economic side, bringing these products into the formal system means they can be taxed, which should weaken the smuggling trade that currently dominates. On the health side, having state oversight means at least some control over what people are consuming, especially among young people and teens, where usage has been growing unnoticed.
Related Reading: European Vape Policy: Real-time Updates