Stricter smoking rules go into effect in Sonora

 San Luis Rio Colorado, Son. - Although Sonora has had a nonsmoking law in effect since 2006 that prohibits smoking within schools, public buildings and orders restaurant owners to have separate smoking areas, a new law passed on Aug. 28 dictates stricter measures to protect nonsmokers and enacts severer penalties for those breaking it.

   But it was only this Friday, Nov. 28, that the regulations for the implementation of the new law were published; with this, government buildings, restaurants and all public or private buildings have 90 days to comply.

 Juan Antonio Gaeta, Chief of the Health Control Unit in this city, announced the regulations publication as a warning to merchants who will have to comply exactly to the letter of the law, since it will include sanctions for the smokers and for the businesses who do not comply with the required “smoke free” areas.

 “The law is very clear, all public and enclosed spaces must be 100 percent free of cigarette smoke. The restaurant owners will have 90 days after publication of the regulation to make the necessary adjustments if they want to have a smoking area or if they want to permanently prohibit smoking in their establishments,” said the state official.

 He added that establishments must prepare an area with air conditioning and with a door that separates it completely from the rest of the structure so it does not cause pollution to the area destined for nonsmokers.

 “Those who do not meet that deadline because they need to make a modification to their buildings will have to go to the Unidad de Control Sanitario (Health Control Unit) to request an extension, but most restaurants have been in compliance with the General Health Law and that’s how it will be with this law,” he said.

 The official from the unit which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Health in the state, said that complaints have been in the media from employers stating that they think they will lose customers and jobs with this law, also known as "the anti-smoking law," but it will be the state representatives who will say the last word in the interest of ensuring the health of the Sonora population.

 It should be noted that the “antros” (clubs), bars, transportation buses, government offices, billiards and all enclosed sites will have to have an area designated for smokers and one for nonsmokers and post the "No Smoking" sign.

 The federal “Anti-Tobacco Law” contemplates penalties of up to 6,000 Pesos (about US$500) and arrest of 36 hours for people who light up a cigarette in a restricted area.