Smoking in Mexico
Mexico regulates tobacco products including cigarettes under a legal framework that permits their sale and use but restricts certain practices. For instance, purchasing cigarettes from vending machines or online is illegal. Health warnings on packaging are mandatory and the minimum legal age for sales is 18 years. There are also restrictions on smoking in public places. Mexico has implemented a ban on all tobacco advertising. The total taxation rate on tobacco products is 68%. In 2024, an estimated 15.2 million current smokers were reported in the country. This shows that the current prevalence of adult tobacco smoking was 15.4%, including 23.9% among males and 7.6% among females. In 2021, daily smoking rates indicated that 6.9 million individuals smoke every day which represented 8.6% of the adult population. Data from the same year show that the prevalence of daily smoking was 13.2% among men and 4.4% among women. Tobacco-related mortality is also high in Mexico. Statistics from 2021 show that 39,500 deaths were attributable to tobacco smoking. Among them, 30,000 were men and 9,600 were women. In In 2021, tobacco smoking accounted for 3.54% of all deaths, with higher mortality rates among males (4.64%) compared to females (2.04%).
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December 05, 2024 by mexiconewsdaily.com
Mexico’s lower house votes to ban vaping devices and e-cigarettes
Mexico's lower house approved a constitutional reform banning e-cigarettes, vapes, and synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The law aims to reduce respiratory illnesses and deaths, particularly among young people. The former president and current president supported the ban, while critics raised concerns about including vapes in drug legislation. The legislation now moves to the Senate, expected to pass like in the lower house. Illegal vaping products from organized crime are a worry. The ban also covers chemicals and toxic substances. Fentanyl, except for medical use, is prohibited in Mexico.
December 05, 2024 by mexiconewsdaily.com
Mexico’s lower house votes to ban vaping devices and e-cigarettes
Mexico's lower house approved a constitutional reform banning e-cigarettes, vapes, and sanctioning synthetic drugs like fentanyl to prevent respiratory illnesses and deaths. The proposal awaits Senate approval to become law. The ban aims to curb public health issues, with 16.4% of Mexican adults smoking tobacco. Previous attempts by former President López Obrador to ban vaping were unsuccessful. The vote passed with 410 in favor and 24 against, also prohibiting toxic substances. Concerns include the black market rise due to the ban. The legislation, supported by the majority Morena party, is likely to pass in the Senate, signaling stricter regulations in Mexico.
November 19, 2024 by filtermag.org
Mexico Set to Put Vape Ban in Constitution. It Could Fuel Violence, as Well as Smoking.
Mexico is moving towards incorporating a vape ban into its constitution by the end of 2024. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the necessity of this reform. Despite existing restrictions on vapes, a gray market still thrives. The proposed constitutional amendment aims to eliminate this ambiguity. Concerns over health impacts, especially related to youth usage, are driving this decision. Advocates fear that the ban will lead to increased smoking rates and illicit market expansion, potentially fueling violence. Critics argue for education programs and regulation as alternatives to prohibition. This move is seen as a violation of personal autonomy and human rights.
October 31, 2024 by clearingtheair.eu
Mexico to ban vapes by the end of the year
Mexico's president plans to constitutionally ban vapes by 2025 to curb their black market, mostly controlled by organized crime. With 1.7 million users, a legal and illegal market exists, with dangerous unregulated products. Critics fear a ban will worsen issues and empower crime further, hurting public health and tax revenue. Advocates suggest regulating vapes like tobacco to ensure safety and revenue. The ban, addressing youth vaping, may lead to unintended consequences. Vape regulation is a proposed alternative to reduce harm effectively. Organized crime profits billions from the illicit vape trade.
October 29, 2024 by theguardian.com
Will Mexico’s plan to constitutionally ban vapes play into the hands of cartels?
Mexico aims to ban e-cigarettes and vapes by amending its constitution, driven by health concerns. Organized crime controls 90% of the market, leading to a 5bn peso black market with associated violence and health risks from unregulated products. Enforcing the ban could worsen these issues by consolidating control under criminal groups. Some suggest regulating vapes instead, like alcohol and tobacco, to ensure safety, quality, and tax revenue for public health. Despite concerns about youth targeting and health risks, banning vapes may not be the most effective solution. Balderas and Ospina advocate for a balanced approach to reduce harm in the complex grey market.
May 15, 2024 by medicalxpress.com
New research sheds light on why college students in Mexico choose to vape
The study examines vaping habits among college students in Mexico, revealing factors influencing use like peer pressure and perceptions of safety. Despite Mexico's ban on vaping, many students reported using e-cigarettes due to influences from friends, family, and marketing. Concerns were raised about the lack of campus policies and education on vaping, leading students to purchase products illegally. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored vaping cessation strategies for young adults and calls for increased education on the risks associated with vaping. The researchers are actively providing vaping education and support to students interested in quitting.
March 29, 2024 by gfn.tv
MEXICO'S VAPING DILEMMA | O'Gorman explores Mexico's hardline approach to vaping
Mexico's President is seeking to solidify Mexico's hardline approach to vaping with a proposal to ban vaping through a constitutional amendment, to the consternation of vaping advocates who fear smokers will lose access to these safer alternatives in the country. Joining us to today is Tomás O'Gorman, co-founder of "Pro-Vapeo Mexico" and a member of INNCO’s Board, who highlights the hardening of Mexico's anti-vaping stance and the impact this could have on smokers' ability to quit in Mexico.
December 12, 2023 by reuters.com
Mexico president to push forward anti-vape bill
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador plans to present a law banning e-cigarettes and vapes before he leaves office in 2024, he said on Monday, after the supreme court overruled his previous attempt to outlaw their sale. "It's proven they're bad for your health," he said at a regular news conference on Monday. Mexico has one of the world's strictest anti-tobacco laws, after passing a bill for a total ban on smoking in public places - including the street - in January.
December 08, 2023 by gfn.tv
GFN.TV Interviews | BANNED IN MEXICO | Physicist Reacts to Draconian Vape Laws
Mexico’s ban on nicotine vaping leaves consumers caught in the crossfire. While the “tobacco wars” narrative is obsolete, it continues to cause damage, says physicist and tobacco harm reduction advocate Dr. Roberto Sussman. While the tobacco industry today is no longer the villain it once was, public health campaigners continue to wage war, striking disruptive technologies like nicotine vapes that provide safe and effective alternatives to combustible tobacco.
January 23, 2023 by filtermag.org
Mexico’s Government Thinks Criminalization Will Stamp Out Smoking
If you thought Mexico’s drug war was only about illegal drugs like fentanyl or cocaine, you would be wrong. The country’s war on nicotine has just dealt people who smoke cigarettes or vape a serious blow. A law took effect on January 15 that imposes a total ban on smoking in all public places—you can now only smoke in your home or outdoors on private property. It simultaneously imposes tighter restrictions on nicotine vapes, which also cannot legally be used in public places.
There is also a total ban on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products. For shops that sell cigarettes, it is now against the law to openly display them.