Mexico warns of up to 8 years in prison as it tightens enforcement on vape sales

11 Dec, 2025

According to Reuters,  Mexico’s Senate approved reforms that would sharply increase penalties for making or selling vapes and electronic cigarettes, including prison terms of up to eight years and fines as high as 226,000 pesos (about $12,500). The measures, backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, were passed by pro government lawmakers late Wednesday after the lower house approved them earlier in the week. The changes now await the president’s formal enactment.

What the reforms do

• Target production and sale of vapes and e cigarettes
• Set penalties of up to 8 years in jail
• Allow fines of up to 226,000 pesos

Government stance

Sheinbaum argued that vaping is not a safe substitute for smoking and said some vapes may be as harmful, or more harmful, than cigarettes. She added that authorities are coordinating with state governments to limit illegal markets, citing concerns that organized crime could get involved. No start date for the new rules was given.

Pushback and on the ground reality

Opposition Senator Luis Colosio criticized the reforms as overly prohibition focused, saying the government was choosing a ban instead of building a stronger regulatory and oversight system. Despite the proposed crackdown, vapes and e-cigarettes are still widely sold in Mexico City stores, and officials have not yet detailed how street level sales would be handled. A local resident interviewed by Milenio TV said cheaper prices and easy availability make it hard for some users to stop buying them.