Mexico Implements Nationwide Ban on E-Cigarettes

Mexico has officially prohibited the production, marketing, and distribution of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices.

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the sweeping ban as part of efforts to safeguard public health, marking a significant step in the country’s health policies.

The new law, effective January 18, 2025, criminalizes all activities related to e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and similar systems.

This includes manufacturing, distributing, and disposing of harmful substances, as well as the unauthorized use of synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The legislation overrides any conflicting administrative or regulatory provisions, ensuring its enforcement across the country.

President Sheinbaum emphasized that the ban guarantees the right to health for all citizens. The legislation aligns with amendments made to Articles 4 and 5 of Mexico’s Political Constitution, passed in December 2024 by the Chamber of Deputies with an overwhelming majority.

The decree mandates that Congress and federal legislative bodies align their legal frameworks with the new regulations within specific timelines.

Congress has 180 days to update relevant laws, while federal entities must make necessary adjustments within a year. These measures aim to ensure uniform enforcement nationwide.

While many support the ban as a public health measure, critics have raised concerns about unintended consequences. Salomón Chertorivski, former Health Minister and head of the Public Health Advisory Council in Jalisco, suggested that regulating the industry could have been a more effective approach.

Chertorivski argued that compelling manufacturers to disclose the harmful chemicals in their products might have better informed consumers and limited risks.

He warned that an outright ban could fuel a black market for vaping devices, potentially exacerbating public health dangers by increasing access to unregulated products.