The new Anti-Tobacco Law, which prohibits the display of cigarettes in stores, has sparked controversy among small business owners in Mexico.
The President of the National Alliance of Small Merchants (Anpec) has raised concerns that the law will lead to significant losses for merchants and an increase in the black market.
He argues that the ban will affect not only small businesses but also the suppliers and distributors of cigarettes, which will negatively impact the economy.
The law is intended to reduce tobacco consumption, but some are skeptical of its effectiveness and suggest alternative measures that the government should consider before implementing the law.
Smoking will no longer be allowed at concerts due to a new anti-smoking law that prohibits it in crowded public spaces such as concerts.
Those who violate the law may face fines.
Individuals who previously enjoyed smoking or vaping at concerts should be aware that the new Anti-Tobacco Law now prohibits this behaviour in entertainment venues.
This law went into effect on Sunday and is a part of a broader reform to the General Law for Tobacco Control.
The law prohibits smoking and vaping in spaces designated as free of tobacco smoke, which includes areas of public gatherings such as concert venues.
Mexico no longer allows smoking anywhere?
In Mexico, smoking will be prohibited in a variety of places, including terraces, hotels, beaches, shopping centers, restaurants, bars, schools, offices, stadiums, amusement parks and other places without distinction of whether they are indoors or outdoors.
This also applies to concerts, which are considered crowded public spaces. Those who are caught smoking in these locations may be fined up to 10,000 pesos or even arrested.
This law aims to reduce tobacco consumption in Mexico, where it will also be prohibited to advertise tobacco products in any form of media, such as commercials on social networks.
Anti-tobacco laws are accused of bringing losses
The President of the National Alliance of Small Merchants (Anpec) has accused that the new Anti-Tobacco Law, which prohibits the display of cigarettes in stores, will lead to significant losses for merchants.
According to Cuauhtémoc Rivera, stores could lose up to 25 percent of sales, and there will be an increase in the black market.
He explained that when customers go to buy cigarettes, they also purchase other items such as lighters, snacks and drinks, which amounts to 25 percent of total sales, or approximately 2,000 pesos per month in profits.
He estimates that the law will affect 700,000 points of sale, mostly neighbourhood stores, that are at risk of closing.
He added that 25 percent of small stores still need to fully recover from the financial impact of the pandemic, and this new law will put them in a precarious situation.
Additionally, Rivera stated that the measure will also affect the suppliers and distributors of these products, leading to a chain reaction of economic losses.
He argued that the ban will affect not only small businesses but also the suppliers and distributors of cigarettes, negatively impacting the economy.
He urged the government to consider the law’s economic impact on small businesses before implementing it.
Furthermore, he also mentioned that the law will not achieve its intended goal of reducing tobacco consumption as people will turn to the black market to buy cigarettes.
He suggested that instead of an outright ban, the government should focus on educating the public about the dangers of smoking and increasing taxes on cigarettes to discourage consumption.
The President of the National Alliance of Small Merchants has raised concerns that the new Anti-Tobacco Law will have a significant negative economic impact on small businesses and suppliers, in addition to failing to achieve its intended goal of reducing tobacco consumption.
He suggested alternative measures that the government should consider before implementing the law.