Mexico restricts soft drink TV ads to fight obesity

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Mexico bans soda adsMexico is restricting television advertising for high-calorie food and soft drinks, as part of its campaign against obesity, the government says.

Such ads will be banned with immediate effect on terrestrial and cable TV between 14:30 and 19:30 on weekdays and between 07:30 and 19:30 at weekends.

Restrictions will also be imposed on similar ads shown at the cinema.

Seventy percent of adults and 30% of children in Mexico are obese or overweight, official figures suggest.

Overall, 40% of commercials for soft drinks, confectionery and chocolates will disappear from TV, in favour of products which "meet nutritional standards", the health ministry is quoted as saying.

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