Restaurants in Mexico defeat anti-smoking law

Lighting up in a restaurant is OK again in Mexico. 

The national restaurant association Canirac won its battle against a federal anti-smoking law that went into effect Jan. 15. The law banned smoking in open or public places, including restaurants. 

Restaurants blamed the law for a 30% decrease in business. 

But a court ruling gives Canirac members a pass, suspending the law that prevented them from serving customers in smoking areas. 

Canirac’s argument was grounded in human rights. The law, they said, forced restaurants to discriminate against certain customers.

The law was one of the world’s most stringent, including parks, beaches and stadiums. 

The Fourteenth Collegiate Court for Administrative Matters of the First Circuit granted the definitive suspension of the decree on Thursday.