Overview
- Mexico City health officials reported on Monday that vape and e‑cigarette use climbed from 1 percent to 2.6 percent in 2025, a trend they call worrying because it affects adolescents and young adults.
- The capital’s health secretary said the devices contain nicotine and other toxic substances that cause addiction and health damage, and she cited national figures showing about 14 million smokers and roughly 12 million people who have tried vapes in Mexico.
- A Spanish semFYC survey found broad public support for tougher measures, with three-quarters backing expanded smoke‑free areas and majorities favoring more prevention campaigns, stricter age limits and tighter rules on sales and flavors.
- Global health bodies and regulators differ on policy: the WHO stresses caution over e‑cigarettes and youth uptake while the U.S. FDA has given limited authorizations to some heated‑tobacco products under reduced‑exposure claims without declaring them safe.
- Officials and surveys point to industry tactics — colorful designs, sweet flavors and social‑media marketing — plus weak enforcement as drivers of youth use and as obstacles to reducing nicotine initiation and dual use with cigarettes.