Deputy Marcos da Rosa Proposes Law to Tackle E-Cigarette Use in Santa Catarina Schools

Key Points

• Proponent: State Deputy Marcos da Rosa (União).
• Bill Objective: Establish a prevention program targeting vaping among children and adolescents in schools.
• Measures: Create an intersectoral response involving schools, health, social assistance, justice, and families.
• Motivation: Rising e-cigarette use among Santa Catarina youth poses health risks.
• Inspiration: Similar measures adopted in Cascavel (PR), under Resolution No. 095/2024.
• Status: Bill under review by the Assembly’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ).

State Deputy Marcos da Rosa (União) has introduced a bill in the Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina aimed at curbing the rise of e-cigarette use among school-aged youth.

The bill proposes the creation of a Prevention Program on the Use of E-Cigarettes by Children and Adolescents, to be applied across both public and private schools in the state. It also establishes a formal intersectoral action protocol for situations where electronic smoking devices are confiscated on school grounds.

According to the deputy, the initiative is driven by urgent concern over the growing popularity of vapes, e-cigarettes, and other electronic smoking devices (ESDs) among young people in Santa Catarina.

“Under the guise of modern, flavored gadgets, e-cigarettes are quickly infiltrating schools and posing serious risks to the physical, mental, and emotional health of our adolescents. We cannot ignore this phenomenon that threatens the future of an entire generation,” said Deputy da Rosa.

The proposal emphasizes not only restricting these devices but also creating a support and prevention network, involving schools, health agencies, social services, the justice system, and families.

“This is not about punishment but about guidance, support, and prevention. We must educate for freedom and safeguard the dreams of our youth. This responsibility goes beyond politics; it is a human and civilizational duty,” the deputy stressed.

The initiative is inspired by similar efforts in other regions, such as Resolution No. 095/2024 by the Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of Cascavel (PR), which established procedures to address vaping use and sales in schools.

The bill is currently under consideration by the Assembly’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ).