• PROHIBITION: The Mexican government said Wednesday it is closing a loophole that authorized the legal importation of e-cigarettes into the country. Back in 2008, Mexico banned the trade of e-cigarettes but not the act of vaping itself, opening the door to a flourishing black market.
• IRREVERSIBLE: “(We seek) to address international commitments and the fundamental right to the protection of every person’s health…and to prevent damage to the population from being irreversible, particularly among young people”, the Mexican Ministry of Health said.
• EFFECTS: According to the most recent national addictions survey, 938,000 teenagers used e-cigarettes at some point and 160,000 were using them regularly. Contrary to the US where the government recently banned some vaping flavors, Mexico is banning all sorts.
• DISASTER: “This decree is a disaster. All prohibitions lead to a black market and social problems. And they aggravate problems that already exist. This is the historical lesson that we get from all kinds of prohibition”, says Roberto Sussman, head of ProVapeo México, an advocacy group.
