Aguascalientes Opina – January 28, 2025

The Need for 100% Smoke-Free Spaces: A Public Health Right in Aguascalientes

By Aníbal Salazar

In a world where public health is a priority, smoke-free spaces should be an undeniable right. Despite tobacco consumption being one of the leading causes of preventable deaths, both for smokers and non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke, not all environments are sufficiently protected. In Aguascalientes, parks, gardens, and walking or running tracks should be recognized and promoted as 100% smoke-free spaces, without excuses or exceptions.

The impact of tobacco is so devastating that the World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled it as the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. Every six seconds, a person dies due to tobacco consumption, highlighting that this epidemic not only affects smokers but also non-smokers who live with them. Secondhand smoke is an invisible but equally dangerous threat, putting thousands of people at risk who, unwittingly, are forced to inhale the toxins and carcinogens in that smoke.

Although Mexico has made important strides in the fight against smoking, such as ratifying the WHO Framework Convention and enacting the General Tobacco Control Law, Aguascalientes still needs to take further steps to protect public spaces. The parks, gardens, and recreational areas in the city, places for relaxation and exercise, must be 100% smoke-free, ensuring that all people can enjoy a healthy environment without being exposed to the risks of secondhand smoke.

Parks, gardens, and tracks for walking or running are spaces where people seek to improve their physical and mental well-being. It makes no sense that in these places, designed for health, tobacco consumption is allowed, exposing those who practice sports, families with young children, or vulnerable individuals to the harmful effects of smoke. These places should be examples of healthy habits and respect for the common good.

Furthermore, promoting smoke-free spaces in Aguascalientes has a significant educational impact. By designating parks and recreational areas as tobacco-free, we are not only protecting the health of those who visit but also educating the public about the dangers of tobacco consumption and fostering a healthier lifestyle, especially among young people, who are most susceptible to starting smoking if they find themselves in a permissive environment.

It is important to remember that exposure to secondhand smoke not only affects passive smokers but also represents a considerable economic cost to the health system. In Aguascalientes, as in the rest of the country, the expenses related to diseases caused by tobacco could be avoided with stricter policies and more protected spaces. Creating 100% smoke-free environments would not only save lives but also reduce unnecessary healthcare costs.

The city of Aguascalientes has the opportunity to lead this initiative in the state and become a model of commitment to public health. It is time to take a firm step toward a tobacco-free environment for all. Parks, gardens, and tracks for walking or running should be safe spaces where everyone can enjoy the outdoors without the risk of inhaling cigarette smoke. In Aguascalientes, we must continue working toward a healthier, smoke-free city where the well-being of all comes first.