Labor Party Seeks to Criminalize All Vaping Devices in Nuevo León, Mexico

Mexico Nuevo León vaping ban

The Labor Party in the Mexican state of Nuevo León has proposed amending the state’s Penal Code to ban all types of vaping devices, regardless of whether they contain nicotine or other harmful substances. The initiative, presented by party coordinator Guadalupe Rodríguez during a Tuesday session, aims to impose sanctions on anyone who promotes, supplies, or encourages the use of electronic cigarettes, vapes, and similar devices.

Rodríguez emphasized that while a previous modification to the Penal Code, published in the Official State Gazette on October 11, 2023, established the crime of corrupting minors or persons deprived of will by inducing them to use tobacco or nicotine-containing inhalant devices, this amendment was superseded by a constitutional reform in January of this year. The Labor Party now seeks to expand the scope of punishable conduct to include all vaping devices, not just those containing nicotine.

“From this article, it is clear that some of the devices mentioned do not function with nicotine derivatives, but with the substances mentioned above, which is why we are presenting a reform to the Penal Code for the State of Nuevo León so that the punishable conduct is adjusted and not limited or potentially exempt from being applicable,” Rodríguez stated.

The proposed amendment aims to guarantee the right to health protection for individuals by criminalizing all activities related to electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and other similar systems or devices as specified by law. This move comes amidst growing concerns about the potential health risks associated with vaping, particularly among young people in Mexico.

Matthew Ma
Follow