Lawmakers Clash as Mexico Moves to Criminalize Sale and Promotion of Vapes

Key Points

• Institution: Health Commission of the Chamber of Deputies (Comisión de Salud de la Cámara de Diputados)
• Decision Date: November 2025
• Penalties:

1. 1–8 years in prison
2. Fines between Mex$11,000–226,000 (≈ USD $600–$12,300)

• Opposition Stance: Against penalizing consumers; supports regulation instead
• Supporters’ Argument: Bill targets illegal trade, not individual users
• Critics’ Concern: Risk of fueling black markets and criminalizing young users

2Firsts, November 26, 2025 —According to the Politica, the Health Commission of the Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill that introduces an absolute prohibition on the commercialization and promotion of vapes and electronic cigarettes across Mexico.

Under the proposal, those who sell or advertise such products could face between one and eight years in prison and fines ranging from Mex$11,000 to Mex$226,000 (USD ≈$600 to $12,300).

Opposition lawmakers strongly objected to the inclusion of criminal penalties for individuals found in possession of these products, calling it an excessive and punitive approach. They argued instead for a regulatory framework that controls sales without imprisoning consumers.

Ana Isabel González, a legislator from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), warned that the proposed penalties could open the door to black markets and underground sales, endangering the same youth the bill seeks to protect.

By contrast, Fernando Castro of the ruling Morena Party defended the bill, claiming it does not punish use or possession, but aims to protect public health and dismantle clandestine sales networks.

From the Citizen Movement (Movimiento Ciudadano), deputy Juan Ignacio Zavala rejected that explanation, stating that the proposal “even criminalizes buyers of e-cigarettes.”

“This is one of the most punitive bills to come through this chamber,” Zavala said. “That’s why Movimiento Ciudadano voted against it — it criminalizes rather than regulates.”

Deputy Amancay González (Movimiento Ciudadano) echoed the criticism. While acknowledging that vapes contain toxic substances and should be restricted, she condemned the measure as a ‘criminal policy against vaping’.

She pointed out that traffickers of hard drugs such as meth or cocaine face six years in prison, meaning the new bill would make buying a vape more punishable than selling drugs.

“If this passes, Mexico will become a country where it’s more dangerous to buy a vape than to traffic narcotics,” she said.

The bill will now advance to plenary debate in the Chamber of Deputies before moving to the Senate for potential final approval.

Image source: Politica