Brazil Bans E-cigarette Devices in Effort to Protect Public Health

According to a report by Hojeemdia on April 24th, the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) issued a resolution on Wednesday (24th) prohibiting the manufacturing, importing, selling, distributing, storing, transporting, and promoting of e-cigarette devices. The ban includes all forms of e-cigarette devices and prohibits any form of importation, including personal luggage. Violations of this regulation will be considered violations of health regulations.

In the most recent plenary meeting, Anvisa's five directors voted to uphold the ban on e-cigarettes that has been in place in Brazil since 2009. This decision means that all types of imports will continue to be prohibited, including for personal use. Anvisa director Antonio Barra Torres spent two hours reviewing opinions from 32 Brazilian scientific associations, along with those from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Finance. He also referenced the results of a public consultation held from December 2023 to February of this year. In his report, Barra Torres cited documents from the World Health Organization and the European Union, as well as the decision by the Belgian government to ban the sale of all heated tobacco products with tobacco flavor and odor additives. He also mentioned that this week, the UK passed a bill to prohibit people born after January 1, 2009, from purchasing cigarettes.

Representative Socorro Gross from Brazil's National Health Organization stated that Brazil has been internationally recognized since the last century for its domestic smoking control policies.

This measure can protect people, save lives, effectively promote public health, and for everyone, it is a crucial step towards a healthier, safer environment.

Lauro Anhezini Júnior, the director of British American Tobacco in Brazil, has expressed his belief that the ban treats consumers as second-class citizens. He is calling for a review of the decision-making process to ensure that it is based on science.

This is not only supported by scientists in our industry, but independent scientists in this country have also confirmed that these products can reduce risks. Compared to continuing to smoke traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes pose lower health risks.

Fabio Sabba, Communications Director of Philip Morris Brazil, stated that the current ban is unable to prevent the significant increase in the domestic illegal market and smuggling.

In a situation of uncontrolled market growth, Anvisa failed to fulfill its role of ensuring that the 4 million or more Brazilians consume products that comply with established regulatory standards. It overlooked the market's own requirements for consumer quality regulations.