Argentina bans sale of heated tobacco

Argentina has taken an important step in reducing tobacco consumption by approving the ban on heated tobacco products. Resolution 565/2023 of the Ministry of Health prohibits the sale, importation, distribution and advertising of heated tobacco products throughout the country. The ban extends to all types of accessories intended for the operation of heated tobacco systems or devices, including tobacco refills and electronic devices as such.[1].

The decision was taken based on the health risks associated with the use of these types of products. The Argentine Ministry of Health recalls that in the context of a global decline in tobacco consumption, tobacco manufacturers have introduced new products to the market, such as heated tobacco devices and electronic cigarettes in order to maintain nicotine addiction and attract new consumers.

In Argentina, tobacco consumption kills 45,000 people each year, or 14,130 of all deaths.[2].

Growing restrictions on heated tobacco devices

More than 30 countries worldwide regulate heated tobacco products by banning their sale and importation. The ban on new tobacco and nicotine products is consistent with the provisions of the WHO Framework Convention[3].

Argentina's ban adds to the country's existing measures to reduce smoking, including a complete ban on smoking in indoor public places, placing health warnings on tobacco products and increasing taxes on these products. Other Latin American countries, such as Brazil, Panama and Mexico, have implemented similar regulations on heated tobacco products.

In Europe, last November, the Commission published the directive 2022/2100 banning characteristic flavours for heated tobacco products, and imposing health warnings.

No risk reduction demonstrated

Tobacco manufacturers claim in their marketing that heated tobacco helps smokers quit and thus reduces health risks. According to the World Health Organization, heated tobacco products have not been shown to help smokers quit. In addition, these products emit toxic emissions similar to those found in "regular" cigarette smoke, many of which can cause cancer. Finally, these products contain nicotine at levels similar to those in other cigarettes.

In France, the Interministerial Mission to Combat Drugs and Addictive Behavior (MILDECA) recently published a review[4] on addictive behavior and concluded that heated tobacco devices cannot constitute suitable products for reducing risks in tobaccology.

Last March, a Japanese study published in the journal Tobacco Control[5] had also concluded that heated tobacco was ineffective in helping people stop smoking tobacco and that the consumption of heated tobacco would also contribute to ex-smokers returning to smoking tobacco.

Moreover, while the tobacco industry claims that heated tobacco products are designed for smokers looking to quit, aggressive marketing of these products to youth threatens decades of progress in reducing youth smoking.

Keywords: Argentina, heated tobacco, ban, harm reduction

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[1] Argentina bans the sale and import of e-cigarettes, Merco Press, published March 27, 2023, accessed April 4, 2023

[2] Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Commends Government of Argentina for Banning Heated Tobacco Products, CTFK, published March 28, 2023, accessed April 4, 2023

[3] Tobacco-free generation, Hong Kong's success in total ban on heated tobacco and e-cigarettes, published February 15, 2023, accessed April 4, 2023

[4] Tobacco-free generation, Heated tobacco is not harm reduction, according to MILDECA, published on March 30, 2023, consulted on April 4, 2023

[5] Odani S, Tsuno K, Agaku IT, et al. Heated tobacco products do not help smokers quit or prevent relapse: a longitudinal study in Japan. Tob Control Epub ahead of print: 28 February 2023. doi:10.1136/tc-2022-057613