Witness History Mexico’s soda tax: Confronting soft drink giants
May 15, 2025
In Mexico, a groundbreaking soda tax was introduced in 2013 to combat rising diabetes rates. Advocates faced fierce opposition from the beverage industry, which used media tactics to undermine their efforts. The connection between sugary drinks and health crises was stark, with alarming conditions in schools lacking safe drinking water. Despite intimidation faced by health officials, grassroots advocacy led to the tax's implementation, showcasing both the challenges and triumphs in promoting public health.
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Diabetes Crisis Sparks Action
- Diabetes has surged alarmingly in Mexico, declared a national emergency.
- High mortality is linked to sugar and ultra-processed food consumption, including sugary drinks.
Omnipresent Sugary Drink Ads
- Sugary drink advertisements are everywhere in Mexico, even in schools.
- Most schools lack water fountains, leading to high consumption of sugary beverages among children.
Industry Tactics Against Tax
- Soft drink companies heavily opposed the soda tax using media and sports sponsorships.
- They promoted their products as healthy and attempted intimidation toward Dr. Barquera.