[Perception over smoke-free policies amongst bar and restaurant representatives in central Mexico].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the perceptions and appreciations over smoke-free environments of restaurant and bar managers from four cities in central Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS Managers from 219 restaurants and bars from Mexico City, Colima, Cuernavaca and Toluca were surveyed about smoke-free environments opinions and implementation. Simultaneously, environmental nicotine was monitored. RESULTS The majority of surveyed managers considered public places should be smoke-free, although more than half were concerned with potential economic loses. Implementation of smoke-free environments was more frequent in Mexico City (85.4%) than in the other cities (15.3% overall), with consequently lower environmental nicotine concentrations. CONCLUSION Managers acknowledge the need to create smoke-free environments. Concerns over economic negative effects derived from the prohibition could explain, at least partially, the rejection of this sector towards the implementation of this type of policy.