Earlier this month we told you about New Zealand introducing a gradual age-related smoking ban and asked whether other countries would begin to follow behind. Now just a couple of weeks later Mexico has issued one of the strictest anti-smoking legislations, banning people from lighting up in several public places.
Residents are likely to quickly swap their cigarettes for vape liquids, after legislation came into effect that prevents smoking in hotels, beaches and parks.
The World Health Organization’s director general Tedros Abhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted his support of the General Law for Tobacco Control reform, saying: “Bravo #Mexico! @WHO welcomes such a bold move on tobacco control. We call on all countries to strengthen #NoTobacco policies and help us prevent 8 million deaths every year!”
In addition to this, there will be a ban on cigarette promotion, advertising and sponsorship.
In 2008, Mexico banned smoking in bars, restaurants and workplaces, but this updated legislation goes a step further, making it more difficult for people to carry on with their smoking habit.
Although the Central American nation already had smoking restrictions, 16 per cent of adults still continue to smoke. Therefore, the new law will have a big impact on the lives of millions of people living there.
New Zealand’s latest move involved banning anyone born after January 1st 2009 from buying cigarettes.
What’s more, the number of stores allowed to sell these products has been slashed from 6,000 to 600, with the goal to make New Zealand smoke-free within the next two years.
