The news for smokers was bad. The question was how bad.
Smokers and restaurateurs and other business owners in Mexico City on Wednesday were debating the ramifications of not one but two groundbreaking laws seeking to curb smoking.
Some were scratching their heads over which they would have to obey, and many others expressed skepticism that either would be effectively enforced.
"I'm sure that neither . . . is going to succeed," said Andres Romero Olivares, a 47-year-old accountant, who saw the restrictions as the wrong solution to the nation's health woes.
On Tuesday, the Mexican Senate passed nationwide restrictions on smoking in workplaces, restaurants, bars and other public enclosures, requiring stiff fines for violations and possible 36-hour jail stints for smokers who refuse to comply. That measure, already passed by Congress' lower house, is expected to be signed into law by President Felipe Calderon.
The same day, Mexico City's legislative assembly approved even tougher rules for the capital that would ban indoor smoking in public places. The law tightened restrictions passed last fall, which had allowed bars and restaurants to set aside sections for smokers.
Full Story
Importance: I find it interesting that this law is coming into effect just as the judicial system is being overhauled in order to cut down on the number of people being held in jail for more mundane reasons. More legal confusion and delegation of police activity cannot be good for Mexico with its corrupt system being revamped and a rather unsuccessful war on drugs going on. But I suppose legislators need to feel as though they are getting something accomplished...
GRADE THIS POST!!!!!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment