BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Brazil is the second-largest producer, and the leading exporter of tobacco leaves globally. The tobacco industry exerts significant political influence, particularly in the southern region of the country, while also operating at local, regional, and federal levels. In the National Congress, the tobacco industry maintains a strong lobbying presence, supported by front groups that attempt to interfere in the adoption of public health policies aimed at tobacco control.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: The Center for Tobacco and Health Studies (CETAB), with support from the WHO FCTC Secretariat, launched in 2016, the first Observatory for Monitoring Tobacco Industry Strategies in Brazil. The Observatory is hosted by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), a prestigious, century-old institution under the Ministry of Health of Brazil.
Our initiatives have included:
Conducting research and analyses on tobacco industry activities.
Running campaigns to raise awareness about industry interference.
Disseminating scientific information through reports, bulletins, webinars, and technical meetings.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: In partnership with civil society organizations, we have contributed to all editions of the Tobacco Industry Interference Index.
In 2023, CETAB received the World No Tobacco Day Award for its contributions to tobacco control in Brazil.
From 2021 to 2024, the Observatory’s website attracted more than 75,000 visitors, reflecting its role as a critical resource for monitoring and information.
CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring the tobacco industry remains a continuous challenge as its tactics evolve to serve its interests. An emerging issue is the growing dissemination of misinformation through digital platforms. These campaigns specifically target policymakers and the public, aiming to distort evidence about the health and environmental impacts of tobacco. A promising path forward is to strengthen partnerships with other institutions to better understand the industry's new initiatives, mitigate its interference for effective monitoring and response.Together, we can ensure robust monitoring systems and proactive initiatives to combat tobacco industry interference in Brazil and globally.