BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Tobacco industry’s (TI) interference remains a significant obstacle to effective tobacco control, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Brazil. As cigarette’s sales decline, companies shift focus to promote Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs), under a 'harm reduction' narrative. While this narrative gains traction in high-income countries, it is now being aggressively advanced in LMICs. In Brazil, lobbying efforts are targeting Resolution 855/2024, which bans ESDs. Despite overwhelming health evidence, TI employs misleading narratives to influence policymakers and public opinion, emphasizing economic benefits and the potential to curb illicit markets as justification for legalization.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Our monitoring focuses on documenting and exposing industry tactics across the legislative and executive branches. In Congress, we identified TI’s efforts around Bill 5008/2024, by financing travel, organizing public hearings, and pushing pro-vaping rhetoric. Within the Executive branch, we uncovered meetings between PMI, BAT Brazil, JTI, and government agencies, such as the Federal Revenue Service, which presented industry-favorable data to pressure the Regulatory Agency. We analyze social media activities of executives, allied groups, and parliamentarians; industry narratives in media and hearings; and government documents revealing interactions with TI.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: This work helps Brazil maintain its stance against ESDs and strengthens tobacco control by informing partners, preventing legislative setbacks, and exposing industry misinformation. In the executive branch, we alerted the government to TI interventions and exposed misleading health claims. These insights inform communication and mobilization strategies to block harmful policies while promoting initiatives. We alert the government to industry interference, debunk health claims, and support the media with monitoring findings.
CONCLUSIONS: This monitoring provides a replicable model for LMICs to address industry interference, increasing transparency and accountability in line with FCTC Article 5.3. By sharing strategies, we foster international cooperation and equip LMICs with tools to resist corporate influence, protecting global public health.