Last Thursday, February 2nd, Puerto Vallarta municipal police officers demanded money from Canadian tourists in exchange for not arresting them for allegedly violating the new Anti-tobacco Law.
The events occurred approximately between 8:30 – 9:00 pm, when a couple of tourists were smoking a cigarette next to the creek that leads to Las Palmas beach.
The municipal police officers pointed out to the tourists, who are guests of Hotel Las Palmas, that smoking was prohibited in the area due to the new Anti-tobacco Law, regardless of the fact that they were in the street, so they had to take them into custody, otherwise, they could pay the police officers $500 pesos in cash.
The version was confirmed by the manager of Hotel Las Palmas, Gabriel Igartua. So far the Municipal Police have only indicated that they will investigate the facts.
A smoking ban on beaches and parks, and anywhere that children gather went into effect on Sunday, January 15, 2023, throughout Mexico.
Also with the decree that amends, adds, and repeals various provisions of the Regulations of the General Law for Tobacco Control, different commercial establishments must stop displaying, directly or indirectly, advertising and products made with tobacco.
This reform indicates that points of sale such as convenience stores and establishments such as Oxxo or supermarkets are prohibited from placing advertising for cigarettes.
In addition, restaurants and bars are prohibited from offering smoking sections. Hotels were ordered to stop offering smoking rooms, where available. All public venues where shows are performed and stadiums were also included in the nationwide smoking ban.
