Mexico's Senate Approves Constitutional Amendment To Ban E-cigarettes, Pending Vote in State Legislature

Mexico's Senate approves constitutional amendment to ban e-cigarettes, pending vote in state legislature

The Mexican Senate approved a reform plan to ban the use of e-cigarettes, and the bill will be submitted to the local parliaments of 32 states in Mexico for a vote to become a constitutional amendment.

According to Vanguardia on December 11, the Mexican Senate approved a reform bill that aims to ban the use of e-cigarettes and the illegal use of fentanyl. In order for this reform to officially become a constitutional amendment, the bill will be submitted to the local parliaments of 32 states across Mexico for a vote.

The Senate plenary session approved the amendment of Articles 4 and 5 of the Constitution of the United Mexican States with 110 votes in favor, 5 votes against, and 2 abstentions, explicitly prohibiting the production, distribution and sale of e-cigarettes, various types of e-cigarette devices and other similar devices.

Senator Enrique Inzunza said that the bill focuses on the serious problems facing society today, especially the use of e-cigarettes, harmful substances and synthetic drugs by young people.

Senator Alejandra Barrales of the National Movement (Movimiento Ciudadano) opposes the reform, arguing that it is wrong "to criminalize and punish the consumption of substances, rather than to prevent and regulate free consumption, as proposed by any left in the world."

She suggested,

"First, elevate the ban on e-cigarettes, e-cigarette devices or similar systems to constitutional status; second, establish and prohibit the production, sale, disposal of toxic substances, chemical resources, illegal use of fentanyl and other unauthorized synthetic drugs."

"The reform attempts to equate the use of e-cigarettes with the use of drugs such as fentanyl, which is obviously unreasonable. Although e-cigarettes are indeed harmful, their effects are far less serious than fentanyl."

The bill still needs to be submitted to the local parliaments of Mexico's 32 states. After obtaining majority approval, the reform will be declared constitutional.