Colombian police have begun enforcing financial penalties against individuals vaping in enclosed public spaces following the implementation of Law 2354. This regulatory shift treats electronic cigarettes identically to traditional tobacco, ending years of legal ambiguity and targeting a rapidly growing market.
Under the National Code of Security and Citizen Coexistence, individuals caught vaping in restricted indoor areas face fines of up to 759,200 COP. National Police officers can issue these fines immediately if they observe an infraction in progress.
The law also penalizes commercial establishments. Restaurants, bars, and shopping centers that permit vaping on their premises face administrative sanctions, heavy fines, and potential temporary closure.
Law 2354 extends the restrictions of the 2009 Anti-Tobacco Law (Law 1335) to include electronic devices. Vaping is banned in the following areas:
- Shopping malls and retail stores.
- Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs (excluding authorized open-air zones).
- Offices and closed workplaces.
- Public transportation systems, including buses, terminals, and stations.
- Schools, colleges, and universities.
The measure aims to protect non-smokers from secondhand vapor and curb nicotine use among youth, who represent the fastest-growing demographic of vape consumers in Colombia.
