Shaping the Future: Proposed Bills to Regulate New and Emerging Tobacco and Nicotine Products in Latin America and the Caribbean Amidst Public Health Concerns and Industry Interests.

This article examines legislative efforts to regulate new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products (NETNPs), including electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) from 2017 to 2022. Analysis of national legislative databases identified 91 NETNP bills introduced in 15 of 33 LAC countries, with Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile leading in the number of bills. Most bills addressed both electronic cigarettes and HTPs, focusing primarily on regulating commercialization rather than outright bans, and six countries enacted at least one NETNP law during this period. The study highlights a marked increase in legislative activity since 2019, reflecting growing regional attention to NETNP regulation amid evolving product markets and potential industry influence. Continued monitoring and evaluation of these regulatory initiatives are recommended to align with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) guidance and to address public health concerns.