Costa Rica has delayed new restrictions on flavored vape products for one year, pushing enforcement back to August 6, 2027, while health authorities prepare the technical capacity needed to police the market. The rule, known as RTCR 519-2025, was published in February and had been scheduled to take effect on August 6, 2026. A later decree moved that date back by 12 months. The regulation itself was not changed.
The delay means flavored vape liquids and related products that were expected to face tighter controls next month will remain under the current framework for another year. Once the regulation takes effect, Costa Rica will restrict vape liquids to a limited list of permitted compounds, all tied to tobacco flavor, and ban flavorings or aromas designed to make the products more attractive.
The regulation applies to vape liquids with and without nicotine, whether imported or manufactured in Costa Rica. It also covers companies and people involved in manufacturing, repackaging, storage, importation, distribution and sales.
Health authorities said the extra year will be used to strengthen technical, operational and administrative capacity before the rule is enforced. One key part of that preparation is the acquisition of specialized laboratory equipment to analyze vape products more precisely and detect substances that could pose health risks.
Officials said the new equipment will allow authorities to better detect heavy metals and other substances, including compounds present in very small quantities. That capacity is considered necessary to verify whether products entering the Costa Rican market comply with the regulation.
The rule is broad. It limits nicotine concentration to no more than 20 milligrams per milliliter, requires child-resistant containers, requires Spanish-language labeling, sets notification requirements for products sold in the country and allows authorities to conduct sampling at points of sale and warehouses.
It also prohibits several types of ingredients, including caffeine, taurine, certain stimulants, cannabinoids such as CBD and THC except where separately authorized for medical purposes, and flavorings outside the permitted list. Devices, capsules or containers that emit aromas associated with desserts, fruits, spices or other pleasant smells are also banned under the text.
Packaging rules are another major part of the regulation. Labels and containers may not use images or designs associated with foods, fruits, desserts, toys, athletes, influencers, celebrities, fictional characters or other elements that could make the products more appealing, especially to younger consumers.
The regulation also bans advertising, promotion and sponsorship of vape liquids and electronic devices, including promotion on websites, apps, social media and by influencers. It restricts some sales channels as well, including online or remote sales when the buyer’s age cannot be clearly verified.
The delay is likely to draw scrutiny from both sides of Costa Rica’s vaping debate. Public health advocates have pushed for faster controls, arguing that flavored products help normalize vaping among teenagers. Businesses and distributors have warned that the rules could force products off the market and create new compliance costs.
In the end, the immediate change is that the stricter rules are still coming, but not next month. The new date is August 6, 2027, and health authorities say the extra time is meant to make enforcement stronger once the regulation finally begins.
