Buenos Aires, 12.12.2023. – The Argentinean vapers’ association Asovape Argentina and the World Vapers’ Alliance have sent an lettre ouverte to the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, calling for the repeal of the ANMAT administrative provision banning the commercialisation of e-cigarettes.

Provision 3226/2011 of the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) banned on 6 May 2011 the importation, distribution, marketing, advertising and promotion of e-cigarettes.

The signatory associations explain in the letter that numerous studies conducted since the ban came into force have demonstrated the significantly lower risk profile and the usefulness for smoking cessation of these devices, as well as the low health risk of nicotine. They also argue that the ban is incompatible with respect for the individual freedom of Argentine adults and the rights to free development of personality, information and health of users and smokers.

Juan Facundo Teme, President of the Argentinean vapers’ association Asovape Argentina, commented:

“The ban violates the rights and freedoms of Argentine adults and should be repealed. The state is not the one to tell Argentines how to consume nicotine and should respect the decisions of individuals who choose to vape in order to consume it in a less harmful way. Moreover, all the arguments on which the ban was based have been disproved.”

Every year 225,000 Argentines fall ill and almost 60,000 Argentines die from smoking-related diseases. Argentina has a smoking rate of 24.5%, the second highest in Latin America and one of the highest in the world.

On the high number of smokers in Argentina, Teme added:

“Smoking is a huge problem for Argentina and the ban has only exacerbated it. It spreads the misconception that vaping is the same or worse than smoking, makes it difficult for millions of smokers to switch to a safer alternative and has pushed thousands of vapers back to tobacco. With clear information and proper regulation of vaping we could reduce smoking rates quickly and significantly.”

Alberto Gómez Hernández, Policy Manager of the World Vapers’ Alliance, commented: 

“Argentina is one of the most restrictive countries on vaping in the whole region and consequently has one of the highest smoking rates. It is second only to Chile, which has just passed a law regulating vaping to allow adults to use it to quit smoking, as Brazil is also working to do. Argentina should not lag behind and should respect smokers who choose to consume nicotine in a less harmful way.”

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, added: 

“Argentina’s approach to vaping is outdated and irreconcilable with upholding the individual freedom of consumers. Argentina now has a great opportunity to take the lead and adopt the approach of countries like Sweden or the UK, which respect users’ right to choose while improving public health. Sweden is on the verge of becoming the first smoke-free country thanks to this approach, and the UK is reducing its smoking rate rapidly. We encourage President Milei and his government to follow these examples. Vaping is not a crime and should be legalised immediately,” Landl concluded.