E-cigarettes in Paraguay

Paraguay: MP José Rodríguez said yesterday that his Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico (PLRA), the largest opposition party, will press for the excise duty on vaping products to be raised to 24% of the wholesale price – the highest rate allowed by law, press reports. The government recently raised the duty from 20% to 22% of the wholesale price.

Paraguay: Opposition senator Pedro Santa Cruz has written to president Mario Abdo Benítez urging him to increase the tax on e-liquids from 20% to 22% of the wholesale price, with proceeds to go to the National Cancer Institute (Incan).

Paraguay: Health minister Julio Borba said yesterday that the ministry would tighten its control over sales of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes, due to their increasing use by young people, press reports. Borba said vaping was “an entry gate to smoking” and that he will work with the National Health Surveillance Authority (Dinavisa) to find effective control mechanisms.

Paraguay: The one-year period for companies to adapt to the requirements set out in Decision 153/2021 ended on 11th August. From now on, manufacturers and importers of e-cigarette products must comply with the notification requirements it lays down, and e-liquids exceeding the 20 mg/ml nicotine limit will not be allowed in the Paraguayan market.

Paraguay: The government is currently discussing with the Senate the immediate enactment of a bill that would increase the tax on e-liquids from 20% (in force since February) to 22%, press reports. The tax rise is in response to the government’s plan to subsidise oil in order to keep its price stable.