Tag: total ban

  • New Mexico Lawmakers Want Total Ban on Vaping

    New Mexico Lawmakers Want Total Ban on Vaping

    Credit: pabrady63

    Elected officials in New Mexico are hoping a new batch of bills that aim to make it harder to buy and use vaping and other tobacco products lay the groundwork for a statewide ban.

    State Sen. Martin Hickey, told KOB4 news that he knows there’s not much lawmakers can do to keep lifelong smokers away from cigarettes – but he believes they have a duty to protect younger generations from the threat of addiction.

    Hickey is also a physician, and he believes the state is losing the battle against teen vaping.

    “The trends are, they’re going up, we were waiting to get another survey and I bet we’re probably moving close to 50 percent of high school students,” he said.

    Hickey also said those trends are skewing younger.

    “Apparently nine out of 10 middle school students have tried vaping,” he said.

    Hickey offered no evidence to support his claims.

    Since 2019, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of high school students who have tried vaping (1 time in the last 30 days) has dropped by 50 percent, and the number of middle school students has plummeted by 70 percent. During that same time period, the number of high-school students who “frequently” vape dropped by 37 percent and the number of middle school students dropped by 65 percent.

    A recent CDC report titled “E-cigarette Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2022” found that 9.4 percent of middle and high schoolers surveyed reported currently vaping. In 2019 this figure was at 20 percent, and in 2020, 13.1 percent.

    Looking at just middle school students, the CDC reports that 3.3 percent use vaping products. 

    Hickey admits there are likely too many barriers to enact a statewide vaping ban, but that’s why he and other state lawmakers are putting forth a menu of bills working to chip away at the problem.

    Some of the ideas include raising tobacco taxes, banning flavored products, and allowing local governments to enact tougher restrictions against smoking. There are also proposals to prohibit smoking in racinos (a combined race track and casino) and fund prevention programs.

    “Whatever doesn’t make it, we’re coming back, because this is so critical and fundamental to youth health,” Hickey said. “I mean, it’s, again, think of it as a chain reaction, it starts here with vaping.”

  • Mexico Bans Public Smoking, Vape Rules to Tighten

    Mexico Bans Public Smoking, Vape Rules to Tighten

    Credit: Sezerozger

    After banning the sale of all vaping products, Mexico has implemented one of the world’s strictest anti-tobacco laws by enacting a complete ban on smoking in public places.

    The move also includes a total ban on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, which means that cigarettes cannot be displayed inside shops. The step was first approved in 2021.

    E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are also facing tighter new restrictions, particularly indoors, as per BBC. Last year, Mexico banned the import, sale and distribution of vaping and heated-tobacco products.

    The existing 2008 law in Mexico is responsible for smoke-free spaces in bars, restaurants and workplaces. The same law extended to a total ban in all public spaces including parks, beaches, hotels, offices and restaurants.

    Several other Latin American countries have also passed legislation to create smoke-free public spaces. Last year for example, Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo also signed legislation banning the sale of vapor products in his country.

    However, Mexico’s legislation is considered to be the most robust and wide-ranging in the Americas.

    However, some smokers are dismayed at the draconian nature of the new law. In essence, it means that many will only be allowed to smoke in their homes or other private residences.

    Others have raised questions about the practicalities of enforcing the law.

    With police corruption so rampant in Mexico, many fear that rather than issuing real fines or punishments for smoking in public, some officers will use it as a pretext for taking bribes.