Panama

Panama became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on February 27, 2005.

Smoke Free Places 

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places, indoor workplaces, and public transport. In addition, smoking is prohibited in outdoor sports venues.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

The law bans all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Tobacco product packaging must display one of five text and pictorial warnings on 50 percent of the principal display areas, and a 10-point font warning on the lateral side of the package. Misleading packaging and labeling, which could include terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law does not require that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents or emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of single cigarettes and small packs of cigarettes. In addition, the law prohibits the sale of tobacco products by vending machines and in educational establishments, health establishments, and sporting facilities. However, there are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products via the internet.  The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

E-Cigarettes

The sale of e-cigarettes is prohibited, as is internet promotion. The use of e-cigarettes is prohibited in places where smoking is prohibited.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

Law No. 13 of January 24, 2008 is the principal law governing tobacco control in Panama. The law requires the executive body to issue regulations within three months of the law’s enactment. The Ministry of Health followed suit and issued Executive Order No. 230 to regulate Law No. 13. The Executive Order includes comprehensive regulations on topics such as restrictions on smoking in public places and packaging and labeling of tobacco products, and elaborates upon the ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship contained in Article 14 of Law No. 13. Executive Decree No. 611 amends Executive Order No. 230 with regards to point of sale product displays. 

Pictorial health warnings to be displayed on tobacco packaging are regulated by successive resolutions – Resolution No. 809 of October 6, 2008; Resolution No. 868 of October 19, 2009 (as amended by Resolution No. 153 of March 5, 2010); Resolution No. 0968 of September 23, 2011; Resolution No. 378 of April 16, 2013 (as amended by Resolution No. 1265 of December 26, 2013); Resolution No. 1210 of August 11, 2014; Resolution No. 1661 of September 8, 2015; Resolution No. 2304 of October 28, 2016; Resolution No. 1335 of June 28, 2018; Resolution No. 4167 of December 11, 2019 (as amended by Resolution No. 0315 of February 4, 2020); Resolution No. 2569 of October 4, 2021; and Resolution No. 0153 of January 19, 2023.

Law No. 315 of June 30, 2022 prohibits the use, import, and sale of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products. It establishes by law what was previously contained in two ministerial resolutions - Resolution No. 2742 of August 21, 2017 (banning the sale and use of e-cigarettes) and Resolution No. 0953 of May 15, 2018 (banning the sale and use of heated tobacco products).

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.