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The government of Venezuela has banned e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products—including personal use by individuals. The decision came in an Aug. 1 health ministry resolution, which claims the action is based on health concerns. The resolution, published in the country’s official gazette, prohibits the “manufacture, storage, distribution, circulation, commercialization, import, export, use, consumption, advertising, promotion, and sponsorship” of all vaping products—including products that contain no nicotine.

Las autoridades de salud de Venezuela anunciaron el jueves que resolvieron prohibir la utilización, fabricación e importación de cigarrillos electrónicos, sin excepciones. A partir de su publicación en la Gaceta Oficial, fechada el miércoles, “se prohíbe la fabricación, almacenamiento, distribución, circulación, comercialización, importación, exportación, uso, consumo, publicidad, promoción y patrocinio” de los cigarrillos electrónicos, indicó el Ministerio en un comunicado.

On June 27, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies rolled out the Portuguese translation of Transform Drug Policy’s How to Regulate Cannabis: A Practical Guide. It covers social equity taxation, in the context of making reparations for communities harmed by Brazil’s punitive cannabis policies. That same day, prominent right-wing magazine Veja claimed that the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) was about to restrict importation of cannabis flower—in part by citing misinformation about smoking and vaping medical cannabis products.