Mexican Senate pushes zero VAT on glucose monitors and bans alcohol outlets near schools

Senator Ruth González Silva (PVEM) presented a bill to amend the Value‑Added Tax law, creating a zero‑percent rate for medical devices used for self‑monitoring of glucose and blood pressure. The proposal cites the high burden of diabetes and hypertension in Mexico, noting that in 2024 the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social recorded 37.9 million family‑medicine consultations for these conditions, costing roughly 39 billion pesos.

Senator Juanita Guerra Mena introduced a point of agreement to keep establishments that sell and serve alcoholic beverages at a minimum distance from all educational institutions in the state of Morelos. The measure calls on the 36 municipal presidents to identify schools and nearby alcohol outlets, conduct inspections, and enforce sanctions, aiming to protect children and adolescents from early exposure to alcohol.