The Supreme Court of Panama has decided to hear a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of the ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in the country.


In early August, the Panama Tobacco Harm Reduction Association (ARDTP) filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court, stating that Law No. 315, which prohibits the use, sale, and import of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco in the country, is unconstitutional and should be abolished.


According to media reports, the Panama Association for Reducing Tobacco Damage (ARDTP) appealed to the Supreme Court on September 21 after filing a lawsuit.


If the Supreme Court deems the unconstitutional declaration valid, Bill 315 will be returned to the legislative body for revision.

Once the bill is revised, it will be resubmitted to the Supreme Court to confirm its constitutionality. A proposed new law is being drafted to replace the current 315 bill and support "risk based" provisions.

Panama is one of several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Argentina, and Venezuela. Since 2022, strict legislation has been implemented to restrict the use, sales, import and export of e-cigarette products.


Many advocates for reducing harm believe that the enactment of such legislation has led to the creation of safer black markets for nicotine products in their respective countries.


The World Federation of Electronic Smokers (WVA) stated that the decision of the Supreme Court of Panama to hear this lawsuit is a positive first step.