BMJ  2006;332:548 (4 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7540.548

Letter

Mexico and the tobacco industry

Editorial lost sight of the real enemy

EDITOR—In their editorial on the tobacco industry in developing countries Sebrié and Glantz did not take into account potential positive effects and disregarded important accomplishments of Mexico's health ministry in tobacco control.¹

Over the past five years, the ministry, under the leadership of the current minister of public health, Julio Frenk, has implemented several tobacco control initiatives. A tax increase on tobacco products reversed an industry friendly trend set by previous administrations. Restrictions on radio and television advertising have been put into action, and a media campaign will be launched soon to discourage tobacco use. Furthermore, the recent development of an efficient system to monitor and evaluate national trends in tobacco use, especially among young adults, is providing epidemiological data that will be key in guiding medium and long term strategies to reduce tobacco consumption.

To develop and consolidate policies to restrict and control the tobacco industry, constructive action is needed. Governmental agencies in Mexico, as well as international lobbyists, need to provide pressure to support the health ministry along its path towards a more aggressive tobacco tax policy and breaking the barrier that impedes the use of special taxes earmarked for anti-tobacco programmes. The ministry has circumvented such barriers and used funds provided by the mentioned agreement to finance medical institutions directly involved in treating tobacco related illnesses. Activists who issue criticisms based on short term results and brush aside advances may create pressure in the wrong direction and ultimately benefit the tobacco industry by tarnishing the reputation of an administration that is making long term progress.

Credit: MARTIN PARR/MAGNUM

 

A more complete analysis than that of Sebrié and Glantz would recognise, as Samet et al acknowledge, that Mexico has been a leader in tobacco control.² Minister Frenk was an early supporter of the World Health Organization's convention and is a champion of tobacco control in Mexico. The balance of the Frenk administration has been positive, and Mexico is making advances towards tobacco control.

National Institute of Public Health (Mexico), Mexico mhernan{at}insp.mx

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Competing interests: None declared.

References

1. Sebrié E, Glantz SA. The tobacco industry in developing countries. BMJ 2006;332: 313-4. (11 February.)[Free Full Text]
2. Samet J, Wipfli H, Perez-Padilla R, Yach D. Mexico and the tobacco industry: doing the wrong thing for the right reason. BMJ 2006;332: 353-4. (11 February.)[Free Full Text]

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