Mexico Bans All smoking in public

[hollydolly]

From parks and beaches to hotels, the Latin American country now has one of the strictest smoking bans in the world

The law came into action on January 15 and it applies to places like hotels, beaches and parks – pretty much anywhere, in fact. The only places where you can still smoke is in private homes or in private outdoor areas, meaning that Mexico’s anti-smoking laws are some of the strictest in the world.

And before you plan on pleading ignorance as a tourist: the laws will apply to foreign nationals, too. Those caught smoking could face fines of up to $300 (£240) – and, if they refuse to comply, be jailed for up to 36 hours.


All of which might seem quite extreme, but Mexico certainly isn’t the only country that has clamped down severely on smokers. Barcelona has banned smoking on the beach, while Costa Rica has banned smoking in places where others could be exposed to second-hand smoke. Hungary also has laws forbidding people from lighting up within five metres of schools and universities.

 

[Nathan]

Well it's way past "about time" to put the centuries long deadly addiction to rest.

 

[Packerjohn]

For a change, sounds like a move in a positive direction. Now, if the Yanks would do the same with gun control, wouldn't that be positive news?

 

[MrPants]

WOW! That's interesting. Wonder how badly that will affect their tourism industry

I have often wondered why Cruise Corporations haven't yet banned smoking on their ships outright. You can only smoke in designated areas now but non-smokers complain about it still and it's a fire hazard for the ship as well.

The only answer I have heard on why they don't just ban it outright is that they don't want to give up the revenue from smokers who want to cruise. I think once one cruise line does it, the others' will fall into place pretty quickly.

 

[Alligatorob]

It will be interesting to see how well or effectively this is enforced. Mexico has had a very strong smoking culture, and not great law enforcement.

My concern is that it will just be another way the police can make a bit of cash...

 

[hollydolly]

Well it's been in action now for almost 2 weeks, and they say it's being stringently enforced.. with people facing fines and or Jail time..

 

[hollydolly]

There will also be a total ban on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, meaning that cigarettes cannot even be on show inside shops.
Vapes and e-cigarettes are also subject to tighter new restrictions, particularly indoors.

The Pan American Health Organisation has welcomed the step and applauded the Mexican government for implementing the ban.
The organisation says that 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.
However, some smokers are dismayed at the draconian nature of the new law.
In essence, it means that many will only be allowed to smoke in their homes or other private residences.
Others have raised questions about the practicalities of enforcing the law.
With police corruption so rampant in Mexico, many fear that rather than issuing real fines or punishments for smoking in public, some officers will use it as a pretext for taking bribes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-64279351

 

[Alligatorob]

With police corruption so rampant in Mexico, many fear that rather than issuing real fines or punishments for smoking in public, some officers will use it as a pretext for taking bribes.

Yep, that is my experience with Mexican cops. If you pay in cash and quickly it all goes away, and they don't ask for a lot of money. If you don't it can be a big problem.

This even happens sometimes when you are not guilty, still easier to pay than fight it...

Hope they do a better job this time, I am all in favor of less smoking.

 

[hollydolly]

Yep, that is my experience with Mexican cops. If you pay in cash and quickly it all goes away, and they don't ask for a lot of money. If you don't it can be a big problem.

This even happens sometimes when you are not guilty, still easier to pay than fight it...

Hope they do a better job this time, I am all in favor of less smoking.

Spain is the same !!

 

[Disgustedman]

For a change, sounds like a move in a positive direction. Now, if the Yanks would do the same with gun control, wouldn't that be positive news?

Right, I'm soooooo sure those dastardly criminals will eagerly turn in their guns, start cleaning streets and paint houses for free.......

 

[Disgustedman]

From parks and beaches to hotels, the Latin American country now has one of the strictest smoking bans in the world

Now as to the cartels........ Nahhhh....it's more important to ban smoking.....

 

[hollydolly]

Now as to the cartels........ Nahhhh....it's more important to ban smoking.....

it's the same in all countries which have created a smoking ban.. the UK as well. Certainly Smoking should be banned in indoor places, no argument about that, .. but there are far more important issues that should have been dealt with before smoking in public issues..

 

[kburra]

Cigarettes A legal product must be because all governments make millions from the tax excise! solve the whole thing and ban the sale of them ?

 

[seadoug]

WOW! That's interesting. Wonder how badly that will affect their tourism industry

I have often wondered why Cruise Corporations haven't yet banned smoking on their ships outright. You can only smoke in designated areas now but non-smokers complain about it still and it's a fire hazard for the ship as well.

The only answer I have heard on why they don't just ban it outright is that they don't want to give up the revenue from smokers who want to cruise. I think once one cruise line does it, the others' will fall into place pretty quickly.

Carnival's Paradise was introduced in 1998 as a non-smoking ship. I guess it didn't work out so well for them, and no other cruise line followed suit. These are different days. Perhaps it is time for someone to try it again.

I sailed on Holland America last year, and it was strange to walk through the casino and smell indoor smoke. But I would imagine the smokers probably add to the bar revenue as well.

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cr...ember-carnival-s-non-smoking-cruise-ship.html

 

[MrPants]

Yes! Now that you mention it @seadoug I recall hearing about that Carnival trial. A shame it didn't work out. I would have thought their bookings would go up once smoking was banned but I guess not
I try to avoid having to travel through the casinos on ships. The smoke smell can be overpowering at times. Good thing I'm not a gambler

I'm happy that Mexico is at least making an attempt to get cigarette butts off the beaches cuz you know where they end up eventually, right?

It's been estimated that 4.5 Trillion cigarette butts are littered each year world wide. The Ocean Conservancy has collected more than 60 million cigarette butts from beaches since 1986. Cigarette filters that make their way into the water float and can be eaten by sea animals that mistake them for food. Fragments of cigarette filters have been found in 70 percent of seabirds and 30 percent of sea turtles. It's sad that such a preventable pollutant is not even on anyone's mind in terms of pollution issues.

 

[Jules]

I’d be very surprised if the resorts don’t have smoking areas for the tourists. No way would they want to give up all that revenue.

 

[hollydolly]

I’d be very surprised if the resorts don’t have smoking areas for the tourists. No way would they want to give up all that revenue.

see, that's what we thought about Spain which has the second largest tourism in Europe for beach holidays at 87 million people per year.. .. but no.. they brought in a Blanket Ban without any notice, which included Bars , restaurants ( which so many are open air).. and Beaches!!