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Panama

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Last reviewed: 2026-06

Travelling to Panama with snus or nicotine pouches? Snus is unclear and nicotine pouches are restricted. Cigarettes are legal for adults aged 18+. This page covers the legal status of snus, nicotine pouches, cigarettes, vaping, and heated tobacco in Panama as of 2026-06, with official sources where available.

Snus

Unclear

No snus-specific provision found in Panamanian law. Smokeless oral tobacco is not explicitly addressed; note Panama bans most novel nicotine products, but traditional oral tobacco status is uncertain.

Unverified

Nicotine Pouches

Restricted

Legal basis: Resolución No. 146 de 31 de enero de 2025 (Ministerio de Salud)

Oral nicotine products are covered by Health Ministry Resolution No. 146 of January 2025, which bans sale to minors and all advertising/promotion of oral nicotine, vaping and heated tobacco products. A 2026 bill (Bill 263) proposes a full import/sale ban. Their commercial status is heavily restricted and uncertain.

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Cigarettes

Legal

Minimum age: 18+

Legal basis: Ley No. 13 de 2008 (control del tabaco)

Cigarettes are legal to sell and use, regulated under Law No. 13 of 2008. Panama has strong tobacco controls including a comprehensive smoke-free policy and large pictorial warnings; sale to minors is prohibited.

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Vape / E-cigarettes

Banned

Legal basis: Decreto Ejecutivo No. 1838; Resolución No. 146 de 2025

Executive Decree No. 1838 classifies e-cigarettes (with or without nicotine) as tobacco products and prohibits their sale, advertising, distribution and importation. Use in public spaces and transport is banned. (A 2022 statutory ban, Law 315, was struck down by the Supreme Court, but the Decree 1838 import/sale prohibition remains in force.)

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Heated Tobacco (IQOS)

Banned

Legal basis: Resolución No. 0953 de 15 de mayo de 2018 (Ministerio de Salud)

The sale of heated tobacco products, including their intrinsic components, is banned under Resolution No. 0953 (2018). Use is prohibited wherever smoking is banned.

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Personal Import

Snus
Unknown
Nicotine Pouches
Unknown

Sources

Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations regarding snus, nicotine pouches, cigarettes, vaping and heated tobacco change frequently. Always verify the current legal status with official government sources before travelling. NicotineAtlas assumes no liability for actions taken based on information presented here.