NO BUTTS ABOUT IT AMIGOS!
Originally Published the Week of Aug 30, 2023 in Western Outdoor Publications
Long day down here in La Paz. Living the dream for sure. But, we work hard at our Tailhunter fishing fleet and Tailhunter restaurant keeping folks happy.
So, a few nights ago we were at our place.
It’s a beautiful summer evening on the La Paz waterfront.
Everyone was eating or enjoying our icy mango margaritas. Many of them were eating some of their fresh-caught fish.
Others were just kicking-back. Our house band was kicking out some great music. The waterfront was humming with families on a stroll. Cars cruised up and down the beachfront. Many youngsters were enjoying their last precious week of summer vacation.
Just a great vibe.
My days start early. I could finally exhale a bit and enjoy the moment after being on full turbo since before sunrise.
Everyone and everything were where they should be. One of those rare savory moments when all is right in the world even for a few moments.
One of the group of fishermen had just finished their meal and were now just enjoying the evening laughing and story-telling.
One of the guys pulled out cigars and asked if I’d like one and if it was Ok to light up.
As they were seated and had eaten out on the sidewalk tables, they were away from other diners and well downwind. No one would be bothered. I gave ‘em a thumbs-up.
A cigar sounded pretty grand myself.
I get to fire up a cigar about once every two months…if I’m lucky. This was one of those nights. A good time to take a few well-deserved (in my head) puffs with friends.
Along with a cold beer in hand, it was pretty darned nice.
As I said, moments when all is right in the world are fleeting!
Talk about a buzz kill!
Someone came up and warned us about smoking those cigars. Not for health reasons at all. They weren’t offended by the smoke. But, there’s new law!
I’m not a smoker. I might smoke maybe 4 or 5 cigars all year. That’s it. Our restaurant has always been smoke free. So any new laws about smoking flew well below my personal radar.
I guess this is old news, but it’s “new” news to me! And after chatting with a lot of folks, I guess it’s news to them as well.
So, hold on…
Earlier this year, Mexico passed the most stringent anti-smoking laws in the world! Yes…wrap your brain around that one. IN THE WORLD!
Everyone pretty much knows you can’t smoke inside restaurants, offices, public buildings, etc. blah blah blah. Common knowledge in most countries.
But, the new law in Mexico pretty much completely bans smoking of any kind…cigarettes…cigars…vapes…pipes…from everywhere EXCEPT your own private home.
And even THAT has some restrictions.
Basically, the new law prohibits smoking on the beach, on the sidewalk, hotel rooms…pretty much any public place.
This includes hotel rooms. Hotels are now on notice to create a special smoking area at their discretion. But they don’t have to. Easy to say for the Hyatt or Hilton. Not so much for any little mom-and-pop operation.
But essentially ALL rooms are now smoke free. This also includes your balcony or terrace.
The penalties can be as high as a $500 fine or even yes…jail time.
In your home, you can still light up, but you are prohibited if someone else, like your neighbor, can get a whiff of your smokey fragrance within 10 yards (30 feet) of you.
So you can be on your patio or terrace of your condo and if your smoke has the potential to drift to your next door neighbor, you can’t do it!
Only in your own home!
It’s debatable among many just how they will enforce this. Plus it has been argued that this is just an opportunity to extract a bribe by a ne’er-do-well cop, but it’s still well to note.
Crush your butt!
I’m gonna have to figure out what to do with my little stash of cigars now. I sure enjoyed them now and then.
Fleeting moments. When all was right in the world. Now I can’t even have a nice cigar anymore.
That’s my story!
Jonathan
That's My Story 