Tag: Costa Rica

  • Costa Rica Bans Vaping in Public Places

    Costa Rica Bans Vaping in Public Places

    Credit: Adobe Stock

    Costa Rica has banned vaping in public places such restaurants, offices and educational institutions, reports The Tico Times.

    The move follows a dramatic increase in vaping-related disorders. In 2023 alone, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund recorded 14 cases of vaping-related intoxication, including nine minors, with seven requiring hospitalization.

    Vaping has become increasingly popular among young people in recent years. Gabriela Rojas of the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (IAFA) warned that electronic cigarettes contain harmful chemicals.

    “The tobacco industry has cleverly marketed these products, using technology, attractive colors, and various flavors to target underage individuals,” said Zeanne Gonzalez, another IAFA official.

  • Costa Rica to Ban Synthetic Nicotine Products

    Costa Rica to Ban Synthetic Nicotine Products

    Credit: Adobe Stock

    Costa Rican authorities have announced their intent to prohibit vaping, e-cigarette and other tobacco products containing synthetic nicotine in the country.

    A proposed resolution will prohibit the “sale, use, commercialization, advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of vaping liquids containing synthetic nicotine and cannabinoids,” the Ministry of Health wrote in a statement.

    It will also affect products that “have incorporated cannabinoid-type liquids” because they “represent a health risk,” according to the statement.

    The provision will be in effect while the government prepares to reform the law regulating next-generation tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems.

    The National Anti-Tobacco Network (Renata) reacted positively to the decision in a statement, highlighting that it “applauds” the government for the new regulation.

    “Costa Rica could be on the verge of experiencing a next epidemic of vaping patients,” they argued.

    Retailers call the proposal an “injustice,” said Michael Araya, owner of the La Pegona chain of smokers’ stores, according to a media report.

    “I’m totally frustrated,” he said. “A lot of people are going to be out of work; continuing in a smoke shop without selling smoking products doesn’t make sense, a very hard blow to all the investment,” Araya added.

  • Costa Rican Health Ministry Warns of Vaping Dangers

    Costa Rican Health Ministry Warns of Vaping Dangers

    Credit: Joao

    The Costa Rican Ministry of Health in Costa Rica has again warned the population about the use of electronic cigarettes by minors and mentioned the provision that prohibits the sale of vaping products to youth.

    “In the last months worldwide, there have been events linking the use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), Similar Systems Without Nicotine (SNNS) and electronic devices that use heated tobacco, and analog technologies with lung diseases and even cases of death,” Costa Rican media reports.

    “For this reason, this ministry, in a statement, reminds and warns the population about the harmful effects associated with the use of these devices.”

    Vaping misinformation is rampant in Costa Rica.

    In 2021, the Red Nacional Antitabaco (RENATA) – National Anti-Smoking Network – expressed satisfaction with approving a law banning vaping in Costa Rica.

    “It is important to consider the vulnerability of all consumers of tobacco products, including electronic devices or vapers, to any disease of the respiratory system, since the first studies on the effects of the use of vaporizers and heated tobacco products show negative consequences for the lungs and the immune and cardiovascular systems,” said Nydia Amador, president of RENATA.

    RENATA also stated that vaping advocates “tried to confuse public opinion by claiming that vaping is 95 percent less harmful than tobacco use.”

    Many organizations, such as the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Physicians and Public Health England (PHE) have released studies that show vapor products have been scientifically proven to be 95 percent less harmful than cigarettes and related tobacco products. This is supported by the U.S. Academies of Science, which has also found that e-cigarettes have a lower harm profile than their combustible competition. 

  • Fuma Fire Launches ‘Fire’ Vape Brand in Costa Rica

    Fuma Fire Launches ‘Fire’ Vape Brand in Costa Rica

    Credit: Fuma Fire

    Hollywood, California-based Fuma Fire has launched its new “Fire” brand vaping products in Costa Rica.

    “We’re excited to say that FIRE has received all necessary approvals from the Ministry of Health and the University of Costa Rica, making it the first exclusive vape brand designed specifically for the Costa Rican market,” a company press release states. “With its exceptional quality and undeniable appeal, FIRE is set to become a staple of the Costa Rican vaping scene.”

    The Fire 2-in-1 vape is the only approved vape on the market that has been approved by the Ministry of Health and the University of Costa Rica.

    “At Fire, we believe in igniting the senses and delivering a truly unforgettable vaping experience,” the release states. “Our vapes are crafted with care to provide you with the very best in flavor and quality, and we’re confident that you’ll love every single puff.”

  • Costa Rica Authorizes Country’s First Hemp Farm

    Costa Rica Authorizes Country’s First Hemp Farm

    Credit: Gian

    Costa Rica has for the first time has given an agricultural conglomerate authorization to grow and process hemp under a recently signed resolution from the country’s agriculture ministry.

    Ingenio Taboga SA, a farming and food company, said it plans to plant hemp and build a processing factory on a 150-acre site.

    Taboga, based in Bebedero de Cañas, Guanacaste, lists products in alcohol-based sanitizers, specialty sugars, natural sweeteners, protein powders and CBD on its website, according to Hemp Today.

    “For the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the development of responsible and efficient agricultural activities with significant agro-export potential is extremely important,” said Agriculture Minister Víctor Carvajal, adding that seven hemp more projects are being considered for authorization, with approval expected soon.

    Under rules approved by agriculture and health officials in September, hemp farming and production licenses are intended to be inexpensive and widely available in Costa Rica. Individuals and legal entities can be authorized to grow and process hemp, and rules are set for post-harvesting, storing, transporting, product manufacturing, marketing, importing and export of health, food and industrial products.

    Costa Rica’s rules set the limit for THC in hemp plants at 1.0 percent. Most countries follow a generally accepted limit of 0.3 percent THC as the dividing line between hemp and marijuana.

    Industry advocates in Costa Rica say establishing a robust hemp sector can spark development of agricultural value chains by bringing economic and social opportunities to the country’s rural areas, and contribute to the growth of the pharmaceutical industry.

  • Costa Rica Readies to Ban Vaping in Public Spaces

    Costa Rica Readies to Ban Vaping in Public Spaces

    Costa Rican lawmakers this week approved in a second debate a bill that will the ban the use of vaping products such as e-cigarettes in public spaces. The bill, Project 21.658, passed with 33 votes in favor and seven against. Seventeen deputies did not participate in the vote and the bill must still be signed into law and published in La Gaceta before it takes effect, according to the Tico Times.

    Credit: Zerophoto

    In addition to banning vaping in most public spaces, the bill also sets the grounds for the country to implement a tax on vaping devices and accessories, such as coils and e-liquids. The Health Ministry endorses the bill, which was first introduced prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

    “I think this project is extremely important for the country. It has the full support of the Ministry of Health,” a lawmaker supporting the bill said. “It is completely in line with the health alert we already issued regarding the use of vaping devices, where we have even been very clear that there is no study that can show e-cigarettes are a smoking cessation therapy. On the contrary, we have to disincentivize the use of cigarettes and the use of vaporizers.”

    The taxes would be allocated to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) and be earmarked for the treatment of diseases related to tobacco consumption.

    The Red Nacional Antitabaco (RENATA) – National Anti-Smoking Network – expressed its satisfaction with the approval of the law. Nydia Amador, president of that organization, assured that the new regulations will give substantial support to the Ley de Control de Tabaco (Tobacco Control Law).

    “It is important to consider the vulnerability of all consumers of tobacco products, including electronic devices or vapers, to any disease of the respiratory system, since the first studies on the effects of the use of vaporizers and heated tobacco products show negative consequences for the lungs and the immune and cardiovascular systems,” said Amador.

    RENATA also stated that vaping advocates “tried to confuse public opinion by claiming that vaping is 95 percent less harmful than tobacco use.”

    Many organizations such as the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Physicians and Public Health England (PHE) have released studies that show vapor products have been scientifically proven to be 95 percent less harmful than cigarettes and related tobacco products. This is supported by the U.S. Academies of Science which has also found that e-cigarettes have a lower harm profile compared to their combustible competition.