Sunday, February 16, 2025

Iconic Mexico City street declared smoke-free

As part of an effort to clean up one of Mexico City’s most iconic streets, smoking has been prohibited on Madero Street in the historic center.

The city’s Historic Center Authority has installed no-smoking signage along the length of the street where, during the first month of implementation, smokers will be asked to put out their cigarettes and will not face fines if they comply. But starting in mid-September, smokers will face fines of 896 to 2688 pesos (US $45 to $134) or mandatory community service.

City authorities have also limited the number of flyer distributors allowed on the street to 51, down from over 200, in order to prevent unnecessary crowds, and installed sanitary checkpoints for the distribution of hand gel and face masks. They will also continue to promote the Open Air City program, which encourages outdoor dining and food sales.

The general coordinator of the Historic Center Authority, Dunia Ludlow, said the agency has been working to clean up the street since last year.

“When we started, we found some common urban problems, graffiti …  Since last year we have been working with the auxiliary police and [government departments] to provide better order,” Ludlow said.

Ricardo Alemi, director of health and wellbeing for the nonprofit Refleacciona con Responsabilidad, said the goal of the smoking ban is to create a safe, healthy environment in one of the most heavily used pedestrian corridors in the country, through which up to 220,000 people pass daily.

With reports from El Sol de México

An aerial view of the hotel Excellence Coral Playa Mujeres

Massive new Playa Mujeres resort expected to create 3,000 jobs

16
The US $220-million, all-inclusive resort features 470 rooms, seven pools and a spa.
A cockroach like those you can name after your ex at the Nuevo Laredo Zoo

This Valentine’s Day, feed your cockroach ex to the animals at the Nuevo Laredo Zoo

0
The Nuevo Laredo Zoo is offering a creative way to get back at your least-favorite ex.
Soldiers guard a burned out car (narco blockade) in rural Sinaloa

New York Times: US will designate 6 Mexican cartels as terrorist groups

41
Among the most powerful of the Mexican cartels expected to receive the designation are the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.