According to a report by Capitalnews on October 17th, Senator Soraya Thronicke from the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul has proposed a bill suggesting regulations for the production, import, export, sale, monitoring, inspection, and advertising of e-cigarettes in Brazil. This proposal will undergo review by the federal Senate.
Despite being legally sold in over 80 countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom and the European Union, the sale, import, and advertising of e-cigarettes have been prohibited by Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency since 2009.
Although commercial activities are prohibited, the usage of e-cigarettes among smokers in Brazil has been steadily increasing. According to data from a Brazilian strategic research and consulting institution, nearly 500,000 people used e-cigarettes within a span of 30 days in 2018. However, by 2022, this number has skyrocketed to 2.2 million people.
Tronick stated that the packaging of e-cigarettes does not include any warnings about their usage risks. She pointed out:
The widespread use of e-cigarettes remains unregulated. From a hygiene perspective, the products available on the market have not undergone sanitary regulations, and their packaging fails to indicate any usage risks. Furthermore, the e-cigarette industry engages in covert advertising tactics, such as exploiting influencers and social media posts to disseminate their messages.
Meanwhile, the government has prohibited the importation and advertising of such devices. Tritonic believes that the unregulated consumption of e-cigarettes is particularly concerning for teenagers.
According to the National Healthy Schools Survey data in 2019, nearly 17% of teenagers aged 13 to 17 have already been exposed to this type of product. Troneck stated, "By regulating the sales and usage of e-cigarettes, we can not only reduce the accessibility of these products to vulnerable populations such as children and teenagers, but also generate funds through taxation to support tobacco control policies.
She further pointed out that tax evasion and economic loss are a result of the lack of regulations concerning e-cigarettes. "From an economic standpoint, the import and sale of e-cigarettes are conducted outside of the tax system, resulting in significant revenue losses," Trognic added.
Tronic believes that the lack of regulations on e-cigarettes is a mistake.
Brazil has simply banned the sale, import, and advertising of e-cigarettes, as their usage becomes increasingly prevalent. However, consumers are not receiving any protection or guidance. In contrast, other harmful products such as traditional cigarettes and hookahs are legally sold in the market, and these products have even received approval from health agencies through attractive packaging and flavors that appeal to young people," summarized Tronek.
It is worth noting that the country's largest tobacco company has now openly supported a bill proposed by Member of Parliament Soraya Thronicke to regulate the sale and use of e-cigarettes.
This supportive statement has been issued by the Brazilian Tobacco Industry Association (Abifumo), representing the interests of companies such as PMI (Philip Morris), Souza Cruz, and JTI. The Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has banned the sale, import, and distribution of e-cigarettes in Brazil.
Notice
1. This article is provided exclusively for professional research purposes related to industry, technology and policy. Any reference to brands or products is made solely for the purpose of objective description and does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any brand or product.
2. The use of nicotine products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, is associated with significant health risks. Users are required to comply with all relevant laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is strictly restricted from being accessed or viewed by individuals under the legal age.
Copyright
This article is either an original work by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with the original source clearly indicated. The copyright and usage rights of this article belong to 2Firsts or the original source. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other unauthorized use of this article by any entity or individual is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally responsible. For copyright-related matters, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have utilized AI to enhance translation and editing efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, errors may occur. Readers are advised to refer to the sources provided for more accurate information.
This article should not be used as a basis for any investment decisions or advice, and 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any errors in the content.
