One of many World’s strictest anti-tobacco legal guidelines has been imposed in Mexico, setting in power a complete ban on smoking in public locations, together with lodges, seashores and parks.
The brand new legislation, which is a part of the nation’s Normal Legislation for Tobacco Management reform, got here into power on Sunday. It should additionally see the full ban on the promotion, promoting and sponsorship of tobacco merchandise. The sale and use of e-cigarettes and vapes are additionally as a result of face new restrictions.
A person smokes a cigarette outdoors a bar, earlier than smoking was banned in public areas in response to a reform of the Mexican authorities’s regulation of the overall legislation for tobacco management, in Monterrey, Mexico, Jan. 14, 2023.
Daniel Becerril/Reuters
The brand new blanket ban extends on an current federal and state tobacco management legislation which got here into place in 2008, banning smoking in indoor areas akin to bars, eating places and workplaces.
World Well being Group Director-Normal Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the legislation on Twitter.
“Bravo Mexico!” he stated. “WHO welcomes such a daring transfer on tobacco management. We are able to on all international locations to strengthen No Tobacco insurance policies and assist us forestall 8 million deaths yearly.”
A person smokes in a public plaza, earlier than smoking in public areas is prohibited in response to a reform by the Mexican Authorities to the nation’s Regulation of the Normal Legislation for Tobacco Management, in downtown Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Jan. 13, 2023.
Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters
Mexico — the place the most bought cigarette model is Marlboro — now joins nations akin to Eire, Greece, Hungary and Malta as these with probably the most stringent smoke-free environments.
Residents have questioned enforcement of the brand new legislation, citing corruption and noting that many will proceed smoking of their personal residences. Others additionally expressed alarm on social media on the harsh nature of the brand new legal guidelines.
Talking in December 2022 on Mexico’s street to tobacco management, Dr. Juan Arturo Sabines, Pan American Well being Group’s nationwide guide, stated the landmark measures would entail going “up in opposition to one of many largest, strongest industries on this planet.”
A girl smokes a cigarette subsequent a meals stall, earlier than smoking was banned in public areas in response to a reform of the Mexican authorities’s regulation of the overall legislation for tobacco management, in Monterrey, Mexico, Jan. 14, 2023.
Daniel Becerril/Reuters
About 16% of adults in Mexico are tobacco people who smoke and smoking causes practically one million deaths within the Americas every year. Bolivia and Chile maintain the very best smoking charges within the area, at 40% and 38.7% respectively.
Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico and Chile are amongst Latin American nations additionally contemplating implementing tobacco management insurance policies to scale back tobacco use — which kills over 8 million folks a yr — of their populations.