Brazilian Authorities Crack down on Irregular Tobacco and E-cigarette Sales

According to a report by local Brazilian media Ared on May 10th, the municipal government of Ponta Grossa in the state of Parana, Brazil (PMPG), conducted a joint operation with the Department of Public Safety (SMCSP), Health Supervision Department, Licensing Department, Civil Defense, and Consumer Protection Bureau on the afternoon of May 9th. The operation aimed to uncover irregularities in the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes.

The city government of Potagrosa, in conjunction with the public safety department, health supervision department, licensing department, civil defense bureau, and consumer protection agency, carried out a joint operation aimed at investigating violations in the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes. The operation took place on the afternoon of May 9th, targeting a convenience store and tobacco shop in the city. The outcome is expected to be handled in accordance with Resolution No. 855/2024 of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

The inspection took place at a convenience tobacco shop in the loop area. Officials discovered 93 boxes of 50g water pipe tobacco, with 63 boxes being expired. Additionally, 13 boxes of imported tobacco had product information written in a foreign language, making it difficult to correctly identify the products.

During this inspection, it was also found that 17 boxes of 40g pipe tobacco were completely unidentifiable in terms of manufacturer. In addition, the Consumer Protection Bureau discovered that all of these items were openly available for sale on shelves. The Health Supervision Department also found 1859 boxes of 50g shisha tobacco, either expired or unregistered with relevant agencies, and seized 6 boxes of e-cigarette fillers.

Finally, all of the illegally sold items were confiscated by inspectors from the Health Supervision Department and handed over to the Federal Tax Bureau. The store owner was also arrested on the spot. The former city convenience tobacco shop failed to comply with the Consumer Protection Act, obstructing consumers' right to know. As a result, the Consumer Protection Bureau fined the shop for six violations and one violation from the Health Inspection Department.

According to a report by the head of the consumer protection agency, Mr. Naim Nasihgil Filho, the store did not comply with consumer protection laws, depriving its customers of their right to access information. Furthermore, the store owner was fined for violating Article 7 of Federal Law No. 8137.

Simone Patrícia, the head of the Department of Health Supervision, stated that any violations of health regulations in the process of selling and storing products can be punished according to Article 63 of Paraína State Health Law No. 13331/2001. Penalties may include warnings, confiscation or destruction of products, closure of shops, revocation of health permits, and/or fines.