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Mexico’s Lower House Backs Nationwide E‑Cigarette Ban With Prison Terms Up to 8 Years

Majority leaders insist penalties apply to producers and sellers, with clarifying changes promised as the bill moves to the Senate.

Overview

  • The Chamber of Deputies approved in general a sweeping reform to the General Health Law by a 324–129 vote that targets vape devices and e‑cigarettes.
  • The measure outlaws manufacture, import, export, distribution, sale, supply and advertising of these products throughout the country.
  • Violations carry one to eight years in prison and fines up to 2,000 UMA (about 226,280 pesos), focusing on commercial activity.
  • Morena’s Ricardo Monreal and Health Committee chair Pedro Zenteno said reservations will clarify that sanctions apply only to acquisition and other acts with intent to commercialize, not individual consumers.
  • Opposition parties PAN, PRI and MC argue the wording could criminalize users and boost the black market, while the broader package also strengthens Cofepris and consolidated medicine purchasing and now heads to the Senate for likely changes.