Smoking Regulations for Tourists Visiting Mexico

November 30, 2023

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Hotels in Mexico Must Provide “Smoke-Free” Rooms and Areas

Mexico’s National Department of Health has issued rules and regulations regarding the use of tobacco and tobacco products in public places*. In compliance with these national laws, hotels and resorts must provide “smoke-free” rooms and areas for their guests.

It is obligation and responsibility of the Hotel owner or manager to maintain a space that is 100% free of smoke. If a guest is found smoking in a smoke-free area, you will be asked to quit and to extinguish your cigarette or other electric smoking devices. You can move to a smoking area, or go outside of the property.

If this request is ignored, the Hotel management reserves the right to refuse service to the guest and will seek the assistance of the appropriate law enforcement authorities. The responsibility of the Hotel ends at the time of notification to the appropriate authorities.

Exposure to Cigarette Smoke is Dangerous

Exposure to cigarette smoke increases your risk for:

Acute myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction
Emphysema
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Lung cancer, bronchus, and trachea
Infections of the upper respiratory tract
Ear infections and worsening of asthma
Other cancers, etc.

Extinguish Cigarettes at Entry to the Hotel

To eliminate the practice of smoking in public areas, the Hotel provides ashtrays to extinguish cigarettes that are placed far enough away from the entry so that smoke is not allowed to enter the building.

Non-Smoking Rooms

Non-smoking signs are displayed in smoke-free rooms
Rooms are maintained smoke-free
There must not be any evidence of people smoking in the room (smoke smell, ashtrays, cigarette butts etc.)
Non-smoking rooms must be located on designated floors or buildings to prevent smoke from other rooms from passing down the hallways or to intrude upon smoke-free areas
Guests are prohibited from using non-smoking rooms for meeting rooms or for parties that include smoking

Non-Smoking Warning Signs and Ventilation

Signs are displayed prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors
Warnings are provided of the risks and consequences for pregnant women, the elderly and the sick
Smoking areas must have direct ventilation to the outside or an air extraction system that does not mix with other air cooling systems

Common Areas and Service Areas

Smoke-free areas are clearly indicated with signs in highly visible locations
Smoke-free areas have warnings about the violation of smoking regulations
Smoking or the use of smoke products are not allowed in any internal area of the hotel, including bathrooms, storage, kitchen administrative area, hallways, balconies etc.

Complaints

To complain about smoking in smoke-free areas, please alert the Hotel Management.

Reference: Secretaria Nacional de Salud (National Secretary of Health) http://www.salud.gob.mx/unidades/cdi/nom/compi/rsct.html

Smoking Regulations for Tourists Visiting Mexico