And they cannot be hidden through the use of stickers, envelopes, boxes, covers or any other device or means, it details.
Ban lighting cigarettes in public places
According to the authorities, these changes are intended to protect the population against exposure to tobacco smoke in all workplaces, public transportation, public gathering spaces, or in public and private schools.
Visible signs must be posted in these places indicating that they are smoke-free spaces. The administrators or managers of these sites may request users to turn off tobacco products, in case of lighting or smoking, or, otherwise, to leave the space.
What does the tobacco industry say?
Various Chambers, Confederations and Business Associations have expressed their rejection of the new regulations for tobacco control, since they consider that the display of products is not synonymous with promotion or advertising, and therefore should not be prohibited.
In a position, they assured that the federal Ministry of Health exceeds its powers with the provisions of the rules.
“It would be the first time in the country that, by official order, a legal product is hidden for sale,” they reported in a statement.
The business sector also considered that the health agency did not follow the due consultation process to modify a regulation, since it did not consider the 900 comments that the industry made to the initiative, published on the website of the National Commission for Regulatory Improvement ( Conamer).
“In Mexico, tobacco is legal and is regulated by the General Law for Tobacco Control. It is a product whose commercialization is legitimate, for which reason the prohibition of its exhibition is unfounded”, they added.
This ban, they argued, could affect small businesses, since 15% of the sales of 600,000 little stores come from cigarette packs.
