By Timothy S. Donahue

Top Takeaways:

• A new 2023–2025 Regional Tobacco Industry Interference Index shows rising industry interference in Latin America and the Caribbean as COP11 approaches.
• Eleven countries saw increased interference, with the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Paraguay, and Argentina among the most affected.
• Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, and Panama showed the strongest protections, bolstered by transparency rules and limits on industry contact.

A new 2023–2025 Regional Tobacco Industry Interference Index warns that interference by tobacco companies is increasing across Latin America and the Caribbean just days before global negotiations start at COP11 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

The report, covering multiple countries in the region, found that 11 governments faced more industry interference since the last review period, threatening public health gains and policy integrity. Based on publicly available information, the Index measures how well countries are implementing WHO FCTC Article 5.3, which requires Parties to protect health policies from the “commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.”

Results show clear differences: Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, and Panama now show the lowest levels of interference due to stronger transparency rules and restrictions on official contact. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Paraguay, and Argentina rank among the most affected, with ongoing political ties and expanding industry-funded “corporate social responsibility” campaigns.

The Index also reports setbacks in Colombia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador, where companies have exploited governance gaps, institutional partnerships, and legislative loopholes to influence policymaking. Representatives from several countries highlighted real-time challenges.

In Brazil, Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, Executive Secretary of CONICQ, mentioned that the country has adopted a code of conduct for public officials, a declaration ending briefing sessions with industry representatives, and strict meeting rules under Regulation No. 605/2025. But she warned that “challenges persist, such as the influence of the tobacco caucus in Congress and ongoing lawsuits by indebted manufacturers seeking privileges despite their tax liabilities.”

Ecuador’s Pablo Analuisa said that implementing Article 5.3 “has been made a top priority,” noting that new mental-health regulations explicitly ban “all direct or indirect interference” in health-policy development. Guatemala’s Dr. Sophia Mus described a more fragile situation, saying that the absence of Article 5.3-specific laws “facilitates tobacco industry influence in Congress,” even during e-cigarette debates.

She mentioned that Guatemala’s 2024 Code of Conduct and new health legislation are beginning to include protections. Mexico’s Michell Castillo Trejo said authorities remain committed to “prioritize health over commercial interests,” but warned that “the industry constantly reinvents itself with increasingly sophisticated tactics.” Civil-society groups highlighted that interference has become more subtle and diverse.

“The 2025 Regional Index shows that the industry continues to exert undue influence over public policies, exploiting governance and transparency gaps,” said Laura Salgado of the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control. Corporate Accountability’s Daniel Dorado added: “It is urgent to strengthen monitoring systems and eliminate tax incentives that benefit tobacco companies.”

With COP11 starting in Geneva, advocates say the findings highlight an urgent need for stronger protections. Representatives from GGTC and Corporate Accountability concluded that “COP11 is an opportunity to reaffirm the spirit of the Convention and ensure that no corporation can influence public health policies.” The Regional Index is part of the broader 2025 Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index, released on November 11.

Based on publicly available information, the Index evaluates how effectively countries are implementing WHO FCTC Article 5.3, which requires Parties to protect health policies from the “commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry.”

Results show stark contrasts: Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, and Panama now demonstrate the lowest levels of interference thanks to stronger transparency rules and restrictions on official contact. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Paraguay, and Argentina rank among the most affected, with persistent political ties and expanding industry-funded “corporate social responsibility” campaigns.

The Index also documents setbacks in Colombia, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador, where companies have taken advantage of governance gaps, institutional partnerships, and legislative loopholes to influence policymaking.

Representatives from several countries highlighted real-time challenges.
In Brazil, Dr. Vera Luiza da Costa e Silva, Executive Secretary of CONICQ, said the country has adopted a code of conduct for public officials, a declaration ending briefing sessions with industry representatives, and strict meeting rules under Regulation No. 605/2025.

But she cautioned that “challenges persist, such as the influence of the tobacco caucus in Congress and ongoing lawsuits by indebted manufacturers seeking privileges despite their tax liabilities.”

Ecuador’s Pablo Analuisa reported that implementing Article 5.3 “has been made a top priority,” noting that new mental-health regulations explicitly prohibit “all direct or indirect interference” in health-policy development.

Guatemala’s Dr. Sophia Mus described a more fragile environment, saying that the absence of Article 5.3-specific laws “facilitates tobacco industry influence in Congress,” even during e-cigarette debates. She said Guatemala’s 2024 Code of Conduct and new health legislation are beginning to incorporate protections.

Mexico’s Michell Castillo Trejo said authorities remain committed to “prioritize health over commercial interests,” but warned that “the industry constantly reinvents itself with increasingly sophisticated tactics.”

Civil-society groups emphasized that interference has grown more subtle and diverse. “The 2025 Regional Index shows that the industry continues to exert undue influence over public policies, exploiting governance and transparency gaps,” said Laura Salgado of the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control.

Corporate Accountability’s Daniel Dorado added: “It is urgent to consolidate monitoring systems and eliminate tax incentives that benefit tobacco companies.”

With COP11 beginning in Geneva, advocates say the findings underscore an urgent need for stronger protections. Representatives from GGTC and Corporate Accountability concluded that “COP11 is an opportunity to reaffirm the spirit of the Convention and ensure that no corporation can influence public health policies.”

The Regional Index forms part of the broader 2025 Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index, released on November 11.