“To protect the health of Mexicans, the Senate approved sanctions against the production, distribution and sale of toxic substances, including the illicit use of fentanyl, and established penalties for activities related to electronic cigarettes,” the upper house said in a message on X.

The ruling, approved with 110 votes in favor and five against, adds provisions to articles four and five of the constitution and determines that, to guarantee the right to health protection, the law will punish all activities related to electronic cigarettes.

The same will happen with vapers and other similar electronic devices as indicated by the legislation, and the production, distribution and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl and other unauthorized synthetic drugs.

In addition, it specifies that professions, industries, domestic or foreign trade, work or any other activity linked to the said substances are prohibited.

During the discussion on Wednesday, Senator Margarita Valdez (National Regeneration Movement) recalled that according to data from the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks, banning vapers is a matter of public health.

Nearly one million teenagers have tried the device at some point and 160 thousand use it regularly, which damages their lungs and can cause cancer, she said in statements reported by local media.

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