BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Since 2009, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has prohibited the sale, advertising and import of Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs) in Brazil. The resolution was updated in 2024, including the manufacture, transportation, distribution and storage of ESDs. The tobacco industry has been lobbying to change the current regulation, both in ANVISA and at the National Congress, supporting bills allowing the sales and ads of ESDs. Undue pressure was seen in other government bodies, too.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Civil society’s role has been key to promote awareness on the risks of the ESDs, countering tobacco industry arguments, besides promoting the accountability of the Ministry of Health.
The national tobacco control coalition actively participated in the regulatory process. International partners collaborated by sending videos, letters or updated data on the issue. Medical associations joined the debate and around 80 signed a letter in favor of the banning.
Campaigns were launched, showing the risks associated with vape consumption, especially by youth. Investigative journalism provided additional information on lobbying strategies from the tobacco industry and its allies, as vapers associations. Undue interference attempts and conflicts of interests were revealed.
Regular meetings with parliamentarians and key decision makers from the government ensured the delivery of updated evidence, including countering arguments related to illicit trade, harm reduction and economic losses, the main used by tobacco industry in Brazil.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The consumption of illegal ESDs in Brazil is around 2%, according VIGITEL 2023, a national survey. Public support for the ESDs banning is 79%, according to a national public opinion poll conducted in 2024. ANVISA published RDC 855 in April 2024.
CONCLUSIONS: The strong work developed by the civil society coalition alongside ANVISA has been decisive to the adoption of higher levels of tobacco control policies in Brazil and to keep the banning of ESDs despite strong pressure from tobacco industry.