Uruguay bans import, sale of e-cigarettes citing health risks.

Jun.05.2025
Uruguay bans import, sale of e-cigarettes citing health risks.
Uruguay President Yamandú Orsi announced a full ban on e-cigarette imports, registration, and sales at a press conference.

Key Points:

 

1.Policy Announcement: Uruguayan President Tabaré Vázquez announced during a press conference that there will be a complete ban on the import, registration, and sale of e-cigarettes.

 

2.Repeal of old laws: this move is equivalent to repealing two related regulations implemented by the previous government, which had allowed the use of e-cigarettes and enforced plain packaging for tobacco products.

 

3.Health concerns: The Minister of Health referenced data to point out that 18 people die from smoking in Uruguay every day, with e-cigarettes being considered misleading and posing health risks.

 

4.Anti-smoking tradition:Uruguay became the first "smoke-free country" in the Americas as early as 2006, and the current policy marks a return to a strong anti-smoking stance.

 

5.Scope of the ban: In the future, no company or individual will be allowed to import, register, or sell e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products within the territory of Uruguay.

 


 

Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi announced during a press conference that Uruguay will ban the import and sale of e-cigarettes. This decision effectively reverses two laws from the previous government, which permitted the domestic use of e-cigarettes and mandated neutral packaging and labeling for tobacco products.

 

During the press conference, Uruguayan Health Minister Cristina Lustemberg cited research data from the Ministry of Health, stating that 18 people in the country die every day due to smoking. This alarming fact has prompted the current government to repeal the previous government's regulations.

 

In the future, companies in Uruguay will be prohibited from importing, registering, or selling electronic heated tobacco products.

 

It is worth noting that on March 1, 2006, Uruguay was declared the first smoke-free country in the Americas, with a government decree banning smoking in enclosed public places, including bars, restaurants, office buildings, and shopping malls.

 

The coordinator of Uruguay's Tobacco Control Project, Laura Llambí, emphasized that scientific evidence suggests that long-term use of e-cigarettes may lead to heart attacks and issues with acute and chronic lung diseases. Llambí further pointed out that there is a lot of misleading information about devices like e-cigarettes, which are mainly purchased and used by young people, a trend that warrants attention.

 

Uruguay is located in the southeast of South America, on the east bank of the Uruguay River and the La Plata River. It is bordered to the north by Brazil, to the west by Argentina, and to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Uruguay bans import, sale of e-cigarettes citing health risks.
Uruguay location | Image source: Google Maps

 

 

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

BofA Upgrades Imperial Brands, Says Market Overreacted to Australia Slump
BofA Upgrades Imperial Brands, Says Market Overreacted to Australia Slump
Bank of America upgraded Imperial Brands to “buy” from “neutral,” saying investors have overreacted to the tobacco group’s Australian business downturn and that the share-price pullback has created a more attractive entry point.
Jul.16
Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Seita’s Julia Neumaier Says France Should Target Vape Access, Not Plain Packaging
Julia Neumaier, general manager of Seita, Imperial Brands’ French subsidiary, said France should focus vaping regulation on access control, age verification, online sales and distribution channels, rather than applying tobacco-style plain packaging to vaping products.
Jul.15
2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | RLX Q2 Revenue Rises 14.8%, Company Takes Control of Western European Distributor and Expands Multi-Category Strategy
2Firsts Exclusive Analysis | RLX Q2 Revenue Rises 14.8%, Company Takes Control of Western European Distributor and Expands Multi-Category Strategy
business accounting for 68.5% of sales. A new controlling investment in a Western European distributor and plans to scale modern oral nicotine pouches point to a broader international strategy spanning channels and multiple product categories.
Special Report
Aug.14
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
FDA 2025 NYTS: Youth E-Cigarette Use Declines but Unauthorized Disposables Remain Prominent; Nicotine Pouch Use Stays Low
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey analysis, saying about 2.01 million U.S. middle and high school students currently used any tobacco product; among current youth e-cigarette users, unauthorized disposable brands including Geek Bar, Elf Bar, Lost Mary and Raz had high reported shares, potentially making them a focus for future enforcement.
Jun.24
ZYN ULTRA Expands Haypp’s U.S. E-Commerce Lineup With 9 mg Pouches
ZYN ULTRA Expands Haypp’s U.S. E-Commerce Lineup With 9 mg Pouches
Haypp Group said ZYN ULTRA became available nationwide in the United States on June 15 through its e-commerce platforms Nicokick.com and Northerner.com for verified adult nicotine consumers.
Jun.17
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced VEEV inPrime, the next-generation closed-system vape platform featuring the new AdvanceVape Induction System™. Alongside the new induction platform, PMI has redesigned the pods, e-liquid formulations and user interaction experience. According to PMI and official IQOS websites, VEEV inPrime began a phased European rollout between May and June 2026, with products now available in Greece, Estonia, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Jul.14