New Study Confirms Mexico’s Smoke-Free Law Is Working, Regulators Must Stay Alert to Protect Public Health
Statement of Patricia Sosa, Director of Latin America and Caribbean Programs, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
February 26, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new peer-reviewed study published in the Pan American Journal of Public Health confirms that Mexico’s comprehensive smoke-free law is delivering real public health benefits and shows why strong enforcement and continued vigilance are essential to protect this progress.
The study found that nearly 80 percent of restaurants, cafés and bars in Puebla and Aguascalientes were fully smoke-free just eight months after the law took effect in January 2023.
The findings send a clear message: Strong tobacco control laws work when governments stand firm. Mexico’s decision to eliminate designated smoking areas and require 100 percent smoke-free indoor public places has translated into real protection for workers and the public. The comprehensive law applies to cigarettes, heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes. Mexico is one of several countries in Latin America to adopt these lifesaving public health measures.
This progress is especially significant because the study was conducted during a period of intense legal challenges and misinformation campaigns driven by the tobacco industry and its allies. Despite these efforts to weaken the law and confuse businesses, the study found that most establishments are complying, proving that industry interference can be overcome. In fact, in September 2025, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in favor of the law, putting an end to the confusion.
In addition to affirming the health benefits of the law, the study highlights the need for continued action. Compliance with the law remains low in bars, and enforcement of requirements for no-smoking signage is weak. Without strong oversight, education and political will, these gaps could be exploited to roll back hard-won protections.
Secondhand smoke causes heart disease, cancer and respiratory illness. There is no safe level of exposure. Comprehensive smoke-free laws remain one of the most effective tools governments have to prevent these harms.
The evidence is clear: Mexico’s smoke-free law is working. Now, policymakers, regulators and courts must ensure it is fully enforced so that public health always comes before tobacco industry interests.