Laura Poy Solano
La Jornada Newspaper
Saturday, November 8, 2025, p. 11
Mexico maintains the lowest score in terms of the interference of the tobacco industry in public health policies among the countries in the region, according to the results of the IV Regional Tobacco Industry Interference Index for Latin America and the Caribbean 2025, prepared by Corporate Accountability and the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC).
However, like the rest of Latin American nations, it faces multiple attempts at interference ranging from the improper participation of tobacco companies in public policies; “corporate social responsibility” activities, and tax incentives and exemptions, in addition to unnecessary interactions with officials.
In a video conference, Laura Salgado, head of campaigns and alliances at GGTC, highlighted that the tobacco industry puts pressure on the governments of the countries, “particularly when they are in difficult contexts. In many cases the government responses were insufficient, which is why the score was lower this year and greater interference from the industry is reported.”
An aggressive industry
According to the scores released, Mexico reports a total of 48 points, the lowest of the 19 countries analyzed. Chile follows, with 52, as does Uruguay; Panama and Venezuela, with 54 points respectively; Peru, 56; Nicaragua, 58; Jamaica, 59; Costa Rica 64; Brazil, 65; while Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala reach 68 points, among others.
Salgado highlighted that the industry is one of the most aggressive in defending its markets, which is why in the past two years it has increased its interference in public policies that seek to counteract tobacco consumption for the benefit of public health.
