In Ecuador, the commercialization and regulation of electronic cigarettes (vapes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) is not governed by a specific law exclusively applicable to these products; however, they fall within the general legal framework for the control of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems already in force in the country.

The Organic Law for the Regulation and Control of Tobacco (LORCT, dated July 22, 2011) and its implementing Regulations are the primary legal instruments establishing the regulatory framework for tobacco products and assimilate electronic cigarettes within this scope.

Certain specialized reports (such as those issued by GSTHR) indicate that electronic cigarettes have been included as “Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems” under Executive Decree No. 1047 and the Tobacco Control Law. This implies that, even in the absence of a law specifically dedicated to vapes, they are nevertheless considered regulated under the tobacco control framework in aspects such as use, advertising, and sale.

Some key aspects applicable to electronic cigarettes include:

• The law seeks to protect public health from the effects of the consumption of tobacco and related products.
• Electronic cigarettes are considered tobacco products or analogous products; therefore, the general restrictions applicable to tobacco products extend to them (use, advertising, etc.).
• The sale and use by minors (persons under 18 years of age) is prohibited.
• Consumption is prohibited in workplaces, enclosed public spaces, and means of transportation, in accordance with smoke-free environment regulations.
• Consumption is prohibited in workplaces, enclosed public spaces, and means of transportation, in accordance with smoke-free environment regulations.
  Similar restrictions apply to advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of these products as those established for tobacco products; therefore, the inclusion of health risk warnings is required (this requirement applies to tobacco products and is interpreted as applicable to electronic products containing nicotine).

Importers and marketers may be subject to controls and oversight by the Ministry of Public Health and other competent authorities, both for traditional tobacco and electronic products (as implicitly provided under the tobacco law and its regulations).

Specific prohibitions: some recent legislative bills propose more detailed rules (e.g., banning flavors targeted at young people or restricting commercialization in certain spaces); however, as of 2026, there is no fully approved specific secondary regulation addressing all of these details.

There are ongoing legal reform initiatives before the National Assembly aimed at updating the Tobacco Control Law and incorporating a more explicit and detailed regulation of electronic cigarettes and vapes, including clearer restrictions on sale, use of flavorings, labeling, sanctions, and administrative enforcement.