What Tourists Need To Know About Mexico's New Law Before Packing For A Cruise

One of the very last things you want to experience while on vacation is the joy of paying a hefty fine or spending some time in a local jail. So, tourists should be aware of a new law in Mexico that encourages them to leave a certain vice on board before stepping foot into the country. As of January 2026, bringing vaping devices and e-cigarettes onto Mexican soil is illegal, and tourists who try to bring one off their cruise ship could face some stiff penalties.

There are plenty of rules to follow on a cruise ship, and even seemingly innocent leisure activities, such as fishing, can get you banned for life. But the 2026 law signed by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo classifies all vapes as imports, meaning even slipping a vape into your beach bag as you head to a Mexican beach could be enough to be in violation. It's part of an ongoing trend in Mexico to prohibit smoking and vaping in public spaces. While the act of vaping is not necessarily illegal in Mexico, bringing a device to do so through customs is, thanks to the new law.

Early indications are that those caught bringing a vape through ports of entry are facing some large penalties already. Not only are vapes confiscated when discovered, those who transport them are paying some expensive fines. In extreme cases, tourists attempting to bring multiple vapes or e-cigarettes with them through a port of entry's security face detainment or even prison time for violating the law.

Travel to Mexico is extremely popular, and the country ranks among the 10 most affordable to visit in 2026. Cruise ships are a staple in the country, and packing your vape or e-cigarette in your bags before you board your ship is still allowed, especially if you are departing from a United States port. But even then, there are rules. Most cruise lines have policies in place that designate specific smoking areas, which include electronic cigarettes and vapes. If you violate those rules, you could face some on-board fines.

However, cruise lines are warning guests to leave their vaping equipment at home or in their state room if they plan to disembark the ship at any Mexican port. That's because Mexican authorities are serious about enforcing the new law and security seems to be tightening. So, it's best to tread on the side of caution.

There is very little room for confusion since the new law, which is actually an amendment to Mexico's General Health Law, names vapes and e-cigarettes specifically. "The law will penalize all activities related to electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and other analogous electronic systems or devices specified by law, as well as the production, distribution, and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl, and other unauthorized synthetic drugs," the amendment says (per Tobacco Journal International).

It may be tempting to hide your vape or e-cigarette and try your luck when entering into Mexico. But the country has made it clear it plans to enforce the new law. In fact, the day after the ban took effect in mid-January, Mexican authorities displayed more than 50,000 confiscated vapes, ABC News reported.

No one wants anything confiscated, especially while traveling. But cruise ship guests could lose more than just their favorite vape device if it's detected while crossing Mexico's borders. Fines for attempting to bring any e-cigarette or vaping device into the country can reach more than $12,000. In extreme cases, prison sentences could stretch up to eight years, although that's likely reserved for those suspected of "trafficking" the devices.

Laws that directly impact tourists and their behavior are nothing new. So, while some may see Mexico's enforcement of its anti-vape law as extreme, it's not unprecedented. European countries are especially known for their tourism laws such as in Greece, which tells tourists which type of souvenir they should avoid collecting or face hefty fines. With all this in mind, if your cruise vacation includes any stops at a Mexican port, be smart, play it safe, and leave that vape behind.