Mexico and the socialist government of its president Andrés Manuel López Obrador has enacted one of the strictest smoking bans in the world, establishing a complete ban on smoking in public places. Further restrictions, which were first approved in 2021, include a ban on tobacco advertising.
Several other Latin American countries have enacted legislation to restrict smoke-free public spaces. However, Mexico’s legislation is considered to be the most stringent of the largest range in the Americas. It is also considered to be one of the strictest smoking bans in the world.
Mexico’s existing smoking ban of 2008 – which restricted smoke-free spaces in bars, restaurants and workplaces – was extended to a total ban on all public places. This includes parks, beaches, hotels, offices and restaurants. There will be a total ban on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, which means that cigarettes that are on sale cannot be displayed openly in the shops.
However, many smokers are disappointed by the draconian nature of the most recent version of the Mexican smoking ban. It essentially means that many will only be allowed to smoke in their homes or other private residences.
Others have raised questions about practical law enforcement capabilities. As police corruption is so rampant in Mexico, many fear that, instead of actually imposing fines or other forms of punishment for smoking in public places, some police officers will use it as a pretext for bribery. The use of atomisers and e-cigarettes are also subject to further stricter restrictions, particularly indoors.
The same is happening in Italy with e-cigarettes and heated tobacco for the health minister of the Government of Georgia Meloni who intends to ban the use of vaporisers and heated tobacco products in enclosed spaces where their use is so far allowed. Italy’s Health Minister Horacio Scillacci also plans to ban setting aside special smoking areas and designated smoking wards in enclosed spaces as well as banning smoking in the presence of children and pregnant women.
Italian Health Minister Horacio Scillacci told a hearing before the Social Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies that “Measures should be taken to ensure that all citizens have the maximum possible protection of their health, which is a fundamental right of the individual and an interest held of the community. This process aims to allow the various multiple interests related to tobacco products, in which economic ministries participate, not to override health protection”, referring to the restrictions that his ministry “envisions” on electronic products that substitute smoking and their use in public places. One of those restrictions is banning their advertising.
Meanwhile in Greece, the health ministry is acting in open envy of open covert spaces for smoking outside coffee consumption venues and recreation venues in respect of the limitation of their definition as having two and not only one open side.
Bring Back Smoking Freedom 