Mexico bans cigarette smoking in all public places

This concludes that the only legal place to smoke is in private residences, which makes Mexico's legislation the "world's strictest anti-tobacco laws."

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Image Credit: Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images

Mexico is smoke-free in all public places. The country expanded its anti-tobacco laws on Jan. 15, which makes Mexico’s legislation the “world’s strictest anti-tobacco laws” in the world.

While the previous ban on smoking, which passed in 2008, applied to bars, restaurants, workplaces and public transportation, the newly expanded legislation of the country’s General Law for Tobacco Control now includes hotels, parks and beaches, Causes.com reported.

“WHO welcomes such a bold move on tobacco control.” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said. “We can on all countries to strengthen No Tobacco policies and help us prevent 8 million deaths every year.”

Refusing to cooperate with the ban will result in a $50 to $300 fine and/or up to 36 hours in jail. This concludes that the only legal place to smoke is in private residences.

Some cigarette smokers called the ban draconian and were dismayed at the passing of it, the BBC reported.

Mexico banned all tobacco advertising in 2021 and under the expanded legislation, “there will be a total ban on the promotion and sponsorship of tobacco, meaning tobacco products cannot be visibly displayed inside shops,” Causes.com reported.

According to the Pan American Health Organization, who applauded the Mexican government’s new ban, “tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the world, responsible for nearly a million deaths in the Americas each year, either through direct consumption or exposure to second-hand smoke,” the BBC reported

Electronic cigarettes and vapes are also banned in public spaces.

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