Towards a law on the prevention of youth alcohol consumption 

A major development in March 2025 is the approval of the Draft Law on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (Proyecto de Ley de prevención del consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en menores de edad), which aims to:

• Delay the age of alcohol initiation.
• Reduce binge drinking among adolescents.
• Introduce detection protocols and clinical records in health services.
• Promote alcohol prevention content in school curricula and teacher training.
• Restrict involvement of alcohol-related industries in youth activities.

This law strengthens the legal framework for youth health protection and reinforces the need for integrated, youth-sensitive services across sectors.

Other ongoing discussions

Other ongoing discussions include:

• The need for a dedicated National Suicide Prevention Plan for youth, which remains unapproved despite growing advocacy.
• Expansion of community-based mental health care and the elimination of coercive practices.
• Improving access to health services for vulnerable youth, including those formerly in care and undocumented migrants.
• Strengthening youth participation in health policy design and monitoring.

These debates reflect a broader shift toward rights-based, inclusive, and participatory approaches to youth health and wellbeing.