Mayor calls anti-smoking measure excessive, says police have other things to do

August 20, 2021

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum spoke out on Thursday against a new smoking prohibition on Madero Street, calling it excessive.

Dunia Ludlow, chief of the Historic Center Authority, announced the measure on Tuesday, saying that after a month of awareness-raising, full enforcement would begin in September. Under the new rule, auxiliary police can impose fines of up to 2,688 pesos (US $134) for rule-breakers who light up along the historic avenue.

Mayor Sheinbaum said she only found out about the measure when it came out in media reports.

“It was not something that we established, it was an initiative of the Historic Center Authority. I’m not criticizing it but I don’t think it is worth it,” she told reporters.

She expressed concern that enforcement of the rule would take police away from more important tasks.

No smoking allowed on iconic Madero Street.

“I believe that health comes first, but this seems excessive to me … the police need to focus on what they need to focus on, not on sanctioning people who smoke,” she said.

She did not say if she would take any action to block the measure, and the new anti-smoking signage remains in place on Madero Street.