“They want to regulate junk food and alcohol advertising at sporting events”
“Mexico ranks first worldwide in childhood obesity and second in adult obesity, according to recent figures from international organizations. Faced with this health crisis, the Green Party in the Congress of Mexico City proposed to regulate junk food and the advertising of alcoholic beverages in sporting events and public shows. …
Deputy Jesús Sesma, who presented the proposal, explained that it is a measure that applies not only in the capital, but throughout the country.
“Our legislative proposal is committed to strengthening the human right to public health and was born as an act of political responsibility towards citizens and with a perspective towards the best interests of children and adolescents,” he said. …
He assured that advertising marks habits, so the fact that the sale of sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages and junk food is part of the life of stadiums, courts, tournaments and even sports transmissions, which are invaded by advertisements that normalize the consumption of these products, should not be minimized.”
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“Ban on junk food and alcohol advertising in stadiums and entertainment venues proposed”
“For the 2026 World Cup, the local deputy of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM), Jesús Sesma, presented an initiative to eliminate the advertising of junk food, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks in stadiums and spaces where public shows are held.
The proposal seeks to modify the General Health Law, as well as the Public Shows Law and the Outdoor Advertising Law of Mexico City, with the aim of restricting these ads both inside and in the vicinity (up to a radius of 300 meters) of venues where sports or entertainment events take place, whether public or private.
“The goal is to protect children and adolescents from messages that promote the consumption of products harmful to health,” the legislator said. The initiative also proposes measures to protect the best interests of children, pointing out that constant exposure to this type of advertising contributes to normalizing harmful habits.”
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“Mexico Proposes Ban on Junk Food, Alcohol Ads at Sporting Events”
“Jesús Sesma, Coordinator of the Green Party, Mexico City’s Congress, has introduced two legislative initiatives aimed at restricting the marketing of unhealthy food and alcoholic beverages at sports and entertainment events.
The first of the proposed reforms targets Mexico City’s Law for the Celebration of Public Shows and the Law on Outdoor Advertising. It aims to regulate advertising for alcoholic and sugary drinks, as well as food deemed unhealthy, at venues where sports and public entertainment events are held.
The second initiative urges the federal Congress to amend the General Health Law to ban outdoor advertising that promotes alcohol consumption inside and around stadiums and other venues hosting national and international sporting events. “Our legislative proposal is committed to strengthening the human right to public health and arises as a political act of responsibility to the public, with a focus on the best interests of children and adolescents,” Sesma stated.”
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Assessment:
The emergence of two parallel proposals to protect children and youth from alcohol advertising in the public space in Mexico City – one led by Deputy Zárate and supported by RASA, and another by the Green Party’s Jesús Sesma – reflects growing momentum but also raises strategic coordination challenges. Both initiatives aim to reduce youth exposure to alcohol marketing, yet they differ in scope, framing, and political sponsorship. If not carefully handled, they could compete for attention, dilute advocacy messaging, or even lead to policy fragmentation.
RASA’s initiative is broader, covering schools, hospitals, public transport, and community spaces – a more comprehensive approach to protect and promote the health and rights of children and youth in CDMX..
In this moment, analysis of potential for alignment or integration of the two proposals as well as collaboration of all partners for an ambitious policy change that benefits the children and youth in CDMX is crucial. They can emphasize shared public health goals and propose harmonized legislative language that strengthens both initiatives.
Internally, partners may benefit from dialogue with both legislative camps to explore coalition-building and avoid duplication or conflicting amendments. This dual momentum also offers a prime opportunity to elevate the conversation nationally, moving beyond Mexico City to call for comprehensive federal reforms protecting children from alcohol marketing in all public spaces.