- On January 15, 2023, the Regulations of the General Law for Tobacco Control entered into force.
- Its main change is that it is now prohibited for anyone to consume or have lit any tobacco or nicotine product in collective gathering spaces.
- The National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) obtained an injunction to indefinitely suspend its application.
Since December 1, 2018, Dr. Hugo López-Gatell has served as Undersecretary of Health. His management has been surrounded by controversy, although one of his most recent initiatives is the Anti-tobacco law. It is a project that hardens the measures against smokers and establishments.
In this vein, his idea has been well accepted among health professionals but has also garnered complaints from businessmen. Some have even claimed that its application could cause the bankruptcy of several establishments that are barely recovering from the economic ravages of the pandemic.
What is the Anti-Tobacco Law?
First of all, on December 16, 2022, the reforms to the Regulation of the General Law for Tobacco Control. They all entered into force on January 15, 2023.
The new provisions consist of:
Art. 65 bis.- It is prohibited for any person to consume or have lit any tobacco or nicotine product in collective gathering spaces. The following are considered spaces for collective concurrence, in accordance with the provisions of article 6, section X Bis, of the law:
Patios, terraces, balconies, amusement parks, playgrounds or places where girls, boys and adolescents stay or congregate, urban development parks, sports parks, beaches, performance and entertainment centers, fields, stadiums, arenas, shopping malls, markets, hotels, hospitals, health centers, medical clinics, sites or places of religious worship, places of consumption or food or beverage service, transportation stops, and other spaces established by the Secretariat in terms of the law, this regulation and other legal provisions s applicable”.
The maximum purpose of strengthening the regulatory framework in Mexico, by generating 100% smoke-free spaces, is to address, prevent, reduce risk situations and potential damage to the health of the general population and the population occupationally exposed to tobacco smoke.
Judges obtain protection against the Anti-Tobacco Law
On the other hand, this July 18 the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac) obtained an amparo to indefinitely suspend the application of the General Law for Tobacco Control.
Based on the above, several businessmen have applauded the decision. Among those who have shown their support for the protection is Ricardo Salinas Pliegowho owns companies like TV Azteca, Totalplay, Elektra and more.
Through their social networks He shared an image in which he appears with a cigar. He also added to his publication some of the mistakes made by Dr. López-Gatell during his administration. The businessman mentions everything from handling the pandemic to the constant shortage of medicines for children with cancer.
FREEDOM WON!!!
What Hugo López should have done#GATOELL to take care of Mexicans is to ensure good health service during the pandemic, have treatments for children with cancer and NOT HAVE a shortage of medicines throughout the country, things that he could not achieve in the 5 years… pic.twitter.com/oux2VpPab2
– Don Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@RicardoBSalinas) July 18, 2023
Now, within the comments you can read opinions of all kinds. While some applaud his video, there are also others who are against it. In particular, it can be read that there are users who remember the negative impact that smoking causes on health.
Also read:
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