Ban on E-Cigarettes, Vapes, and Fentanyl Goes Through

With 410 votes in favor and 24 against, the Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting vapes, electronic cigarettes, and the manufacturing and distribution of toxic substances, chemical precursors, and unauthorized synthetic drugs, including illegal fentanyl. The inclusion of fentanyl in the amendment reflects growing pressure from the United States to combat its illicit trade.

Roberto Ramos Alor, Legislator, MORENA, emphasized the importance of the amendment, initially proposed in February by President López Obrador. He highlighted the health risks associated with vaping, which studies have linked to severe conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiolitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and cancer.

According to the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), non-smoking adolescents in Mexico are more familiar with e-cigarettes than adult smokers. The INSP reported that among surveyed adolescents in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, 51% were aware of e-cigarettes, with flavorings identified as a significant factor driving their use. The World Bank added that certain flavorings contain diacetyl, a compound linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, while e-cigarettes have also been associated with delayed brain development and psychosocial health issues. 

Danisa Magdalena Flores, Legislator, MORENA, argued that banning the distribution of fentanyl not only reduces its harmful impact but also strengthens Mexico's trade relationship with the United States, which has called for urgent measures against the drug. Last year, fentanyl was responsible for over 80,000 overdose deaths annually in the United States. Following the approval of the amendment, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the Navy’s record-breaking seizure of nearly 1.5 tons of fentanyl in Sinaloa, valued at approximately MX$8 billion (US$394.33 million). She described the operation, the largest fentanyl pill confiscation in history, as the outcome of an extensive investigation.

Minister of Public Security Omar García Harfuch announced the arrests of two individuals linked to the Beltrán Leyva Cartel, a criminal organization significantly weakened after internal conflicts with the Sinaloa Cartel.

While MORENA has celebrated the reforms, PAN legislator Éctor Jaime Ramírez criticized the decision to combine vaping restrictions with fentanyl prohibitions within the same amendment. “Equating these issues undermines the critical focus needed to address the most dangerous and addictive drugs, such as fentanyl,” he remarked.

Similarly, Movimiento Ciudadano Legislator Irais Virginia opposed the prohibitionist approach, arguing that such measures often exacerbate black market activity. She advocated for regulatory strategies emphasizing quality control, age restrictions, and taxation to generate public revenue.