In northern Mexico, a vape store became the target of a drug cartel, illustrating the growing influence of organized crime in the region. The cartel kidnapped two employees, blindfolded them, and demanded to speak with the store’s owners, asserting control over the business and allowing sales only online and outside the state.
One of the store owners, now in the United States, recalled the incident, saying, “They don’t come asking whether you want to (give them your business) or not, they come telling you what’s about to happen.” The event took place in early 2022 when vapes were still legal in Mexico, a market valued at $1.5 billion. However, the recent ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes, excluding their use, could consolidate cartel control over the market.
“By banning it, you’re handing the market to non-state groups,” stated Zara Snapp, director of the Ría Institute. Alejandro Rosario, a lawyer for many vape shops, noted that the ban might provide cartels with an additional revenue stream, as vapes remain legal in the U.S.
Efforts to Prohibit
While vaping is regulated in the U.S. and Europe, it’s banned in at least eight Latin American countries. Supported by the World Health Organization, the push for regulation is partly driven by concerns over rising teen use. Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador had previously banned e-cigarette imports and sales, but after the Supreme Court found the ban unconstitutional, a constitutional amendment was enacted in January 2025 under President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Despite the ban, a loophole allowed continued entry of vapes from China and the U.S. Authorities have conducted raids, seizing large quantities, like the 130,000 electronic cigarettes confiscated at the port of Lazaro Cardenas. However, the loophole was closed in December, with new laws enforcing fines and prison sentences up to eight years for violations. Aldo Martínez, a shop owner in Mexico City, stopped selling e-cigarettes, which made up two-thirds of his income, to avoid jail.
Consumers worry about potential extortion due to vague laws around personal use. Lawyer Juan José Cirión Lee, who leads the collective Mexico and the World Vaping, plans to challenge these regulations, citing their ambiguity.
Cartels Expand Influence
Organized crime has expanded its presence in the vape market, particularly in northern states and large cities like Guadalajara and Mexico City. Cartels have been using intimidation, extortion, and violence to control the sector. Some sellers in Sonora exited the business, while others in Sinaloa aligned with cartel suppliers to avoid issues with authorities.
Rosario reported losing 40% of his clients due to these pressures. He shared that some cartels paid for businesses and sought operational expertise. The black market for vapes, especially popular disposable devices, is thriving, with some cartels repackaging products themselves, raising concerns about adulteration.
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, along with others like the Sinaloa cartel, are involved in this black market, according to a report by the Mexican NGO Defensorxs.
Varied Outcomes
Following the ban’s implementation on Jan. 16, over 50,000 vapes were seized in Mexico City. Mayor Clara Brugada emphasized the need to protect young people. However, lawyer Cirión Lee criticized this approach, arguing that it might make banned products more appealing to youth.
Countries like Brazil have seen continued use among young people despite bans, contrasting with the U.S., where increased regulation has reduced adolescent vaping rates. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and experts acknowledge that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional ones.
Snapp highlighted Mexico’s ban as a setback, removing a safer cigarette alternative. Amidst uncertainty, consumers are making panic buys. A young entrepreneur near the northern border, operating discreetly without stores or websites, believes the market will eventually fall entirely under cartel control.
For more stories on Latin America and the Caribbean, visit AP’s coverage.
