Mexican Senate Approves Ban on Vapes and Fentanyl

Constitutional Reform Aims to Protect Public Health and Combat Drug Use

The Mexican Senate has approved a controversial reform that prohibits vaping devices and the illicit use of fentanyl in Mexico. The Senate will send the bill to the 32 state congresses for their approval before declaring its constitutionality.

With 110 votes in favor, five against, and two abstentions, the Senate Plenary approved modifying Articles 4 and 5 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States to ban the production, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes, vapes, and other similar electronic systems or devices.

Read more: Mexican Chamber of Deputies Approves Constitutional Ban on Vaping and Illicit Fentanyl

Reform Seeks to Guarantee the Right to Health Protection

The reform aims to ensure the right to health protection for Mexicans. It will prohibit the production, distribution, commercialization, and sale of e-cigarettes, vapes, and other electronic systems or devices specified by law, as well as the production, distribution, and sale of toxic substances and fentanyl precursors.

Senator Enrique Inzunza of the Morena party noted that the bill addresses an urgent problem affecting society, particularly adolescents who use e-cigarettes, vapes, toxic substances, and synthetic drugs.

“First of all, we must remember that health is a fundamental right and, at the same time, a priority that the Mexican State is obliged to guarantee. In recent years, we have witnessed how the proliferation of electronic devices such as vapes and the increased use of substances like fentanyl have generated a health crisis and also a public security crisis,” Inzunza stated.

Opposition Criticizes the Reform’s Approach

Senator Ricardo Anaya of the National Action Party (PAN) claimed that a good number of senators used these devices and even hid in the bathroom to use them.

“The plenary is clogged with vapers, and those who use them go and hide in the bathroom,” the Querétaro senator maintained.

Alejandra Barrales, a senator from the Citizens’ Movement party, which was the only group that voted against the bill, said the reform “seeks to criminalize and penalize the consumption of substances, instead of preventing and regulating free consumption, as any leftist proposes anywhere in the world.”

“In other words, this prohibition is equating the use of vapes with the use of drugs like fentanyl. The absurdity is evident because, although we recognize that there is undoubtedly harm in the use of vapes, it is in no way comparable to the impact generated by the use of fentanyl. The absurdity is evident,” Barrales argued.

The Senate will send the bill to the 32 state congresses, and if the majority of them approve it, the reform will be declared constitutional for its promulgation.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.