The national average of cigarettes smoked per day per individual, has also increased from 6.5 in 2011, to 7.3 in 2016.
The 2016-2017 National Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption Survey (Endocat) showed that smoking amongst 12 to 65-year-olds rose from 17% in 2011, to 17.6% in 2016. Additionally, the national average of cigarettes smoked per day per individual has also increased from 6.5 in 2011, to 7.3 in 2016.
Of the 14.9 million smokers in Mexico, almost 11.1 million equating to 27.1% are men, while the remaining 3.8 million are women. On a positive note, smoking rates amongst the latter have decreased from 9.3% to 8.7% between 2011 and 2016. Three out of every ten smokers said that they were aware of the smoking cessation support services available, however only only 4% had used them.
Smoking regulations are not always implemented or enforced
About half of the smokers surveyed said that they purchase singles for about five pesos (US $0.26) each, naturally this makes cigarettes more affordable.
The survey indicated that despite existing smoking laws and bans, many non-smokers remain exposed to
secondhand smoke as regulations are not always enforced. An article on Mexico News Daily, pointed out that this problem stems partly from the fact that while smoking areas are a legal requirement in the same places where smoking is otherwise banned, some states have not implemented this regulation.
Another problem, is a general disregard for 25-year-old law which prevents the sale of single cigarettes. In fact, about half of the smokers surveyed said that they purchase singles for about five pesos (US $0.26) each. Naturally this makes cigarettes more affordable, despite costing more in the long run. Interestingly, over 70% of the respondents surveyed said they were in favour of a tobacco tax.
Read Further: Mexico News Daily
