Smoking

It might surprise some people, but Mexico appears to be joining the worldwide movement to restrict smoking in workplaces, public transport and other public spaces. A legislative committee has approved what sounds like a fairly restrictive anti-smoking law that would appear to impose rather stiff fines on violators.

This committee appears to have representatives of the three major parties, all of whom voted in favor of the main features of this new law. The head of the committee said he is aware that a lot of Mexicans smoke, but nonsmokers have a right to a healthy environment.

Johns Hopkins reports that 32 percent of Mexican men and 16 percent of women are smokers. Read a full report from Johns Hopkins here.

I don't pretend to understand the Mexican lawmaking system but I assume that this committee approval is a significant step toward full legislative approval.