Buenos Aires, 4 May 2026 – Argentina has taken a major step by lifting the ban on vapes, in place since 2011, and introducing a regulatory framework for alternative nicotine products. The resolution issued by the Ministry of Health creates a legal pathway for vapes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products to be imported and sold in the country, marking an important move away from outright prohibition.

The World Vapers’ Alliance championed this change through campaigns such as Vapeo Responsable, gathering more than 10,000 signatures in a petition and engaging directly with policymakers to push for a smarter, more proportionate approach to regulation.

“This is a significant milestone for adult smokers in Argentina, who now have access to regulated, less harmful alternatives to cigarettes. Politicians listened and finally recognised that prohibition is not a solution,” said Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy Manager at World Vapers Alliance.

However, the resolution introduces overly restrictive measures that limit the public health potential of these products. Flavours are banned across all categories, disposable vapes remain prohibited, and nicotine concentrations are capped for both e-liquids and nicotine pouches.

“Argentina deserves credit for ending the ban on vapes and moving towards risk-based regulation, but this is only the first step. A truly effective framework should remove unnecessary restrictions on nicotine limits and allow flavoured and disposable products to maximise the number of smokers switching,”  added Gómez Hernández.

Argentina is making important progress, but the job is not finished: if the goal is to reduce smoking, regulation must be proportionate to risk, keeping combustible cigarettes as the main target and ensuring that lower-risk alternatives are regulated in a way that helps adult smokers switch.