Mexico Supreme Court Rules E-cigarette Ban Unconstitutional

Nov.11.2024
Mexico Supreme Court Rules E-cigarette Ban Unconstitutional
Mexico's Supreme Court ruled the ban on importing e-cigarettes and related products unconstitutional, benefiting Philip Morris International.

According to a report from Meganoticias on November 10th, the First Chamber of Mexico's Federal Supreme Court ruled that the ban on importing e-cigarettes and related products is unconstitutional.


The ruling was based on the Customs Law of June 7, 2022, and the project proposed by Judge Jorge Pardo Rebolledo received a majority vote. This decision is considered to be favorable to Philip Morris International (PMI) Mexico, as the law was deemed to impose excessive restrictions on commercial freedom.


The court ruled that allowing PMI to import e-cigarette devices does not mean unrestricted consumption of the solutions or substances used in these products. This decision does not amount to a blanket approval of e-cigarette usage and is limited to the mentioned company, and will not affect the potential introduction of other similar products in the market.


The project approved by the Supreme Court clearly states that this decision does not signify universal support for any type of e-cigarette substance, including heated tobacco and alternative nicotine consumption systems. The protective measures granted to PMI protect the company from future restrictions and establish a legal precedent that could impact future lawsuits. The ruling explicitly states that this protection will remain in place until the "Import and Export Tax Law" is amended, which is crucial for the tobacco industry and its derivative products.


According to estimates by the Mexican government, approximately 938,000 adolescents have tried these devices, with around 160,000 being regular users. Despite a ban in place, the number of e-cigarette users has significantly increased, with reports in 2023 indicating that the number of e-cigarette users has reached 2.1 million, a significant growth from 975,000 in 2019.


In October 2022, the Supreme Court of Mexico ruled that certain restrictions were unconstitutional, allowing certain groups to continue applying for protection to import and sell these products.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Philippines DTI Floats Blanket Ban on Open-Pod Vapes and E-Liquids, Seeks Public Input
Philippines DTI Floats Blanket Ban on Open-Pod Vapes and E-Liquids, Seeks Public Input
Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is inviting stakeholder feedback on a draft Department Administrative Order (DAO) that would impose a blanket ban on open vape pods and e-liquids—covering use, manufacturing, importation, and distribution.
Jan.29 by 2FIRSTS.ai
KDCA youth panel: health indicators worsen with grade level; liquid e-cigarette use tops cigarettes among 11th-grade students
KDCA youth panel: health indicators worsen with grade level; liquid e-cigarette use tops cigarettes among 11th-grade students
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Youth Health Panel Survey (2025) Final Results Report says key adolescent health indicators worsen as students move up grade levels. By 11th grade, lifetime tobacco experience rose to 9.59%. Among 11th-grade girls, current use of liquid e-cigarettes (1.54%) surpassed conventional cigarettes (1.33%) for the first time.
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
PMI’s Portuguese unit to launch nicotine pouches in 2026 after tax clarification
PMI’s Portuguese unit to launch nicotine pouches in 2026 after tax clarification
After Portugal included nicotine pouches in the excise-tax (IEC) framework for tobacco and nicotine products, PMI’s Portuguese subsidiary Tabaqueira confirmed it will begin selling nicotine pouches in the country this year. The company is preparing a soft launch in two stores ahead of wider distribution, as the tax and regulatory position becomes clearer.
Mar.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Philippine Lawmakers Push Bill to Close Vape Tax Loopholes
Philippine Lawmakers Push Bill to Close Vape Tax Loopholes
Lawmakers in the Philippines are pushing House Bill 5207 (HB 5207), which seeks to harmonize excise tax rates on vapor products and address disparities between nicotine salt and freebase nicotine taxation. The bill, supported by more than 40 lawmakers including Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan, would raise taxes on freebase nicotine products to align them with nicotine salt rates.
Regulations
Feb.22
IQOS UK unveils 2026 pop-up events plan, first stops set for London and three other cities
IQOS UK unveils 2026 pop-up events plan, first stops set for London and three other cities
IQOS’ UK website shows the company will roll out time-limited pop-up experience spaces across Britain in 2026 for adult consumers. The first confirmed locations are London, the West Midlands area near Birmingham, Manchester and Romford, offering product demonstrations, pop-up-only promotions and nicotine pouch sampling. Entry will be restricted to those aged 18 and over, with “Challenge 25” ID checks in place.
Feb.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Refillable up to 30 mL in total and claimed 60,000 puffs: MASKKING launches open-system UCEE MAX
Product | Refillable up to 30 mL in total and claimed 60,000 puffs: MASKKING launches open-system UCEE MAX
E-cigarette brand MASKKING has recently listed its new UCEE MAX on its official website. According to the website, the device features an open, refillable design with a stated 10 mL e-liquid capacity, supports three refills, and claims a total of 60,000 puffs.
Mar.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai