Mexico Leads Latin America in Curbing Tobacco Industry Interference

Mexico stands out in Latin America and the Caribbean for having the lowest level of interference from the tobacco industry, according to the 2025 Regional Interference Index released by the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC).

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improved significantly

This achievement is particularly significant as 11 countries in the region saw an increase in industry meddling, while only seven improved their standing. Mexico's success is credited to "significant" improvements in its public policies and reforms to the General Law for Tobacco Control. A constitutional ban on vapes, implemented in early 2025, also contributed to its strong performance.

Erick Antonio Ochoa, director general of the civil organization Salud Justa Mx, highlighted the collaborative effort behind these advancements. He noted the cooperation between the Ministry of Health, international bodies like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and civil society groups who collectively resisted "intense pressure from tobacco companies" based on Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

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the public health interests are totally incompatible with the economic interests of the tobacco sector

This article emphasizes that public health interests are fundamentally incompatible with the economic interests of the tobacco sector. Mayra Michell Castillo, a tobacco control policy advisor, stated that Mexico's progress demonstrates how evidence-based policies can effectively safeguard public health. However, she cautioned that challenges remain in consolidating these gains, combating new nicotine product promotion strategies, and continuing to protect young people.

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The advances of Mexico in tobacco control demonstrate that evidence-based public policies can effectively protect the health of the population

The report also pointed to widespread issues of "lack of transparency and conflicts of interest" across the region, with countries like the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, and Colombia showing a decline. In contrast, Mexico, Peru, Panama, and Brazil were recognized for adopting preventive measures that limit industry influence. The GGTC urged for continued regulation and oversight of the tobacco industry, along with government policies that ensure all state sectors reject alliances with the industry.

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consolidate these achievements, face the new strategies for the promotion of nicotine products and continue protecting, especially, girls, boys, adolescents and young people