Vape sales persist in Cancún despite nationwide ban

Cancún, Mexico — Despite the prohibition on the import and commercialization of vapes since 2022 and the implementation of stricter sanctions starting in January 2026, the sale of these products continues openly in Cancún through established businesses, social media, home delivery, and even street vendors.

During a tour of Tulum, López Portillo, and Nichupté avenues, it was confirmed that there are still establishments selling electronic cigarettes. According to the managers themselves, including Javier Cervantes Can, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) has not conducted any inspections so far, so they continue operating.

Ana Domínguez Martínez, a salesperson, commented that they have not been notified that vapes can no longer be sold; therefore, the establishment continues to offer them. She also believes that the responsibility lies with consumers, as it is like with alcohol: everyone is free to buy it.

“I understand that it was prohibited, but we continue selling it; the owner hasn’t told us anything, people come here and ask for the product, so we sell it. I don’t know if that implies a sanction for the seller, I don’t know. I follow orders,” said Sofía Sánchez Rojas.

The interviewees agreed that as long as the business owners do not instruct them to stop selling the product, they will follow orders; for now, sales continue, as that is the instruction.

Sales Through Vending Machines and Home Delivery

Meanwhile, the state commissioner for the Fight Against Addictions, Francisco Boneta Hurtado, reported that although alcohol consumption among teenagers and young people has decreased, the trend is transitioning to nicotine and vapes. The latter are becoming popular due to their easy access through vending machines or home delivery.

He explained that a wide catalog of these products has been detected, with different flavors and colors. Home delivery has led to an increase in consumption, as some young people substitute alcohol for substances containing nicotine and vapes.

Another phenomenon that draws attention is vape vending machines located mainly in shopping malls, most operated by shell companies; this makes it difficult to detect who is behind these businesses and complicates Cofepris’s work.

“It’s complicated to enforce the law because Cofepris arrives and conducts the investigation; the mall has nothing to do with the companies, and it’s a legal hassle to remove the machine. It’s a whole ordeal to find out who operates them; lawyers get involved and it becomes very complicated,” explained Boneta Hurtado.

In response, he mentioned that both nicotine and vape addictions are addressed with legal regulations and educational campaigns. However, consumption has increased due to new home delivery sales methods, which represents a challenge but one that is being worked on.