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Smokers in Mexico: A comprehensive smoking ban applies from Sunday
Photo: JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ / REUTERS
Mexico is massively expanding the smoking ban in public spaces: since Sunday, beaches, parks, sports facilities, amusement parks, courts, markets and prisons have been smoke-free zones, as ordered by decree by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
In addition, "all forms of advertising, sales promotion and sponsorship" for tobacco products are prohibited.
The employers' association Coparmex criticized the decree as having "economic effects" on cigarette sellers.
"The 85,000 grocery stores in Mexico City make up to 25 percent of their sales from these products," said Coparmex.
The ban also violates “the right of adult consumers to self-determination”.
Fines of up to 157 euros for violations
Around 15 million of Mexico's 126 million inhabitants are smokers.
Five percent of them are between the ages of 12 and 17, according to the National Institute of Public Health.
Smoking has been banned in the old town of the capital Mexico City since June.
Violations are subject to fines of the equivalent of 46 to 157 euros.
jpa/AFP
