May 17, 2017, Mexico City, Mexico - Nearly 80 experts, including representatives of the media, attended the round table "Alcohol marketing regulation: from research to public health policy", organized by the National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz (INPRFM), PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center. The coordination was in charge of Mg. Guillermina Natera Rey, Head of INPRFM´s PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center.
Dr. María Elena Medina Mora, General Director of INPRFM, made an introduction on alcohol policies in Mexico. Subsequently, Dr. Maristela Monteiro, PAHO/WHO Senior Advisor on Alcohol, presented information about PAHO's publications on alcohol marketing regulation, and about some works that appeared in Addiction's magazine January supplement, devoted to marketing.
Also participating were Mr. Jorge Villatoro (INPRFM), who presented the current situation of consumption in Mexico (general population and youth); Dr. Clara Fleiz, who addressed Alcohol and television advertising (advertising in sports); and Mr. Jorge Romero, Health Promotion Commissioner, who spoke about the role of industry and self-regulation.
Given that exposure to alcohol marketing "is associated with the onset of alcohol and alcohol-related problems in adolescents and other vulnerable groups," the role of alcohol marketing regulation for public health, safety, and human rights reasons is of great relevance. It should include printed and digital media (including television and the Internet), as well as radio, alcohol outlets, product placement on television, films, sports sponsorship, and other activities.
It is also important to encourage the participation of civil society in monitoring alcohol advertising but the participation of alcohol producers in developing information or policies related to the safe use of their products should be regulated, given the clear conflict of interest with the state's responsibility to protect public health.
Several institutions involved in research, prevention and treatment interested in alcohol regulation in Mexico were also present at the event.
