Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that the ban violates the constitution of vapes, and Philip Morris International Mexico will continue to import until the Import and Export Tax Law is amended.
Mexico’s Supreme Court rules vape ban unconstitutional
According to Meganoticias reported on November 10. The first chamber of the Federal Supreme Court of Mexico ruled that the import of electronic cigarettes and related products is prohibited in violation of the Constitution.
Judge Jorge Pardo Rebolledo deliberated under the Import and Export Tax Law of June 7, 2022 (Jorge Pardo Rebolledo), and most of the projects proposed were approved. The ruling was seen as a verdict against Philip Morris International Mexico. (PMI) Because the law is considered to impose too many restrictions on the freedom of commerce, it is beneficial.
Femo International is authorized to continue importing
The court held that allowing PMI to import vape devices does not mean allowing unlimited consumption of solutions or substances used in such products. The ruling does not fully liberalize the use of vapes, is limited to the businesses mentioned, and does not affect other similar products that may appear on the market.
The project approved by the Supreme Court makes it clear that the decision does not imply a general endorsement of any type of vape-use substance, including heated cigarettes and alternative tobacco tar consumption systems. PMI’s protections shield companies from future restrictions and establish legal examples that could affect future litigation. The judgment makes it clear that this protection will continue until the Import and Export Tax Law is amended, which is particularly important for the tobacco industry and its derivatives.
The Mexican government estimates that about 938,000 teenagers have tried the devices, and about 160,000 of them use them regularly. Despite the ban, the number of users using vapes has increased significantly. According to 2023, the number of vape customers has reached 2.1 million, a significant increase compared to 975,000 in 2019.
In October 2022. Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that part of the ban was unconstitutional, which allowed some people to continue to apply for protection to import and sell such products.
