**Significant Drop in Vape Pen Seizures in Tijuana: Coepris Reports**
Following a series of operations aimed at dismantling the illegal sale and distribution of vape pens in Tijuana, reports and seizures of these products have significantly decreased, according to Rigoberto Isarraraz Hernández, the head of the State Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks (Coepris).
Hernández revealed that the initial surge in reports and seizures stemmed from the implementation of a presidential decree, published in February 2020, prohibiting the importation of electronic cigarettes due to their associated health risks. This led to increased monitoring activities.
While there’s been a decline in these illicit activities, concerns remain over some entities exploiting legal loopholes. Certain individuals and chain stores have obtained provisional rulings allowing them to display and sell these products. Nonetheless, Coepris conducts regular surveillance to ensure compliance, particularly focusing on products that fail to meet legal import requirements within Mexico.
The agency emphasizes that current inspections are standard practices rather than attempts to unfairly target vendors. They continue to encourage public vigilance and reporting through citizen complaints or regular verification checks.
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**Vape Pen Sales Persist in Baja California Amid Legal Ambiguities**
Despite the restrictions on the sale of vape pens in Mexico, and specifically in Baja California, their availability persists. Some businesses have reportedly secured legal amparos, which temporarily protect them from certain regulations, allowing the sale of locally assembled vape pens. Coepris remains on alert to handle any irregularities in the supply chain of these products.
Coinciding with these developments is a broader enforcement policy against importing products such as marijuana cigarettes across the border, with fines reaching up to 80,000 pesos for violators.
In response to ongoing sanitation concerns, additional regulatory measures are expected to be introduced, particularly targeting points of entry like Otay and San Ysidro. These efforts aim to strengthen checks and ensure illicit products do not seep through the cracks of enforcement policies.
Meanwhile, Tijuana continues to grapple with a mix of socio-economic challenges, from migration pressures to public safety issues, impacting the local community’s perception of security and welfare.