Anti-tobacco law enacted in Mexico

LOS ALGODONES, B.C. - No Fumar Por Favor - No Smoking, Please.
 
Next time you light up in Mexico, you might notice these signs posted around you, depending on where you are.
 
A new anti-tobacco law that went into effect last month throughout Mexico, prohibits smoking in public areas such as offices, schools, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, according to Baja California's state health department. However, there can be designated smoking areas, but they have to be in an open-air area or an isolated area.
 
Alberto Mejia, manager of The Green Door bar in Algodones, said the business removed all ashtrays from tables and put up no-smoking signs to let clients know about the new law. He said he also instructed personnel to be on the lookout for people inside the bar who might light up because they never know when an inspector might drop in.
 
"If people want to smoke, they can go outside. But I don't understand this new law when it applies to bars because traditionally smoking and drinking in bars is what people really come here to do ... and have a good time.
 
"It is understandable that smoking will be prohibited in restaurants or areas where family and children are present." But this new law does not benefit his business in any way, Mejia said.
 
Luis Villagran, owner of Hawaii Club, a bar lounge and showclub, said he is in the process of putting up no-smoking signs in the area. In the meantime, he has personnel on the lookout to tell clients to put out their cigarettes.
 
Villagran said an inspector will be coming in at least once a week to check up on Hawaii Club and many other bars in the area to make sure they are following the law.
 
"It's going to take awhile for clients to become accustomed to the new law," Villagran said. "I just don't know how clients are going to react and it doesn't benefit me at all because they might go away looking for a place where they can smoke."

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Stephanie Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@yumasun.com or 539-6847.