Costa Rica

“Electronic cigarette” means Electronic nicotine dispensing systems (ENDS), constituting a category of products for consumption designed to release nicotine, after introducing the tip of a plastic or metal cylinder into the mouth, in a manner similar to a cigarette or a cigar, and inhaling with the aim of extracting a mixture of air and vapors from the device and releasing them into the respiratory system. Contains electronic vaporization systems, a power source and a charger, electronic controls and replaceable or rechargeable cartridges that contain nicotine. Included are devices, similar or otherwise, whose purpose is to supply nicotine to a person.

For the purpose of this review, we will be using the term “e-cigarette” when referring to “electronic cigarette.”

“Tobacco derivatives” means products made totally or partly from tobacco leaf as a raw material, as well as its waste, by-products and substitutes, whose purpose is to be smoked, sucked, chewed, sniffed or inhaled. They contain nicotine as a highly addictive psychoactive ingredient.

E-cigarettes fall into the category of “tobacco derivatives” for the purposes of Decree No. 37185.

“Tobacco products and derivatives” means products prepared totally or in part using tobacco leaf as a raw material, and intended to be smoked, sucked, chewed or used as snuff, including electronic cigarettes.

E-cigarettes fall into the category of “tobacco derivatives” for the purposes of Decree No. 37778.