Corporate interests are feeding the “I Smoke” campaign in Mexico, an effort by smokers against reforms that would put stricter limits on cigarettes, according to the non-governmental organization Power of the Consumer (El Poder del Consumidor). “It's been seen in other countries that groups like these, in name of citizens and the supposed freedom to smoke, put on pressure on behalf of the tobacco companies,” Consumer director Alejandro Calvillo told Tierramérica.

The “I Smoke” campaign sent letters on Nov. 20 to dozens of lawmakers who are debating a bill that could punish those who light up in non-smoking areas with up to 36 hours in jail.

The group's literature says it is “the first Mexican organization of smokers in defense of our human rights.”

Mexico has some 16 million smokers among its population of 104 million. An average of 163 people die per day in Mexico from diseases linked to smoking.