Brazil Government Penalizes Facebook for Illegal E-cigarette Advertising on Platform

Dec.12.2024
Brazil Government Penalizes Facebook for Illegal E-cigarette Advertising on Platform
Facebook Punished for Illegal E-Cigarette Ads in Brazil, Violating Health Regulations, Authorities Report.

On December 11th, the government website of the state of Goiás, Brazil, announced that Facebook was fined by the Consumer Rights Protection Authority (Procon Goiás) for posting illegal advertisements selling e-cigarette devices on its platform.


Since 2009, Brazil has banned the manufacturing, marketing, importation, distribution, transportation, and advertising of all types of e-cigarette devices according to the regulations of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).


The Consumer Rights Protection Regulatory Agency (Procon Goiás) has discovered through monitoring that there is a large amount of e-cigarette advertising information on the platform.


Facebook has been instructed to cease all displays and promotion of e-cigarette devices and related accessories in the state of Goiás. The company was penalized for allowing products that are harmful to health and do not comply with national regulations to enter the consumer market.


The organization's director, Marco Palmerston, pointed out that the advertisements for e-cigarettes are highly appealing, especially to young people. Despite existing laws, it is not difficult to find advertising for the sale of these products.


There is no need for extensive searches, simply spending 30 seconds on these apps will draw attention to the advertisements, some of which are even sponsored.


The Consumer Rights Protection Supervisory Agency (Procon Goiás) has stated that enforcement teams regularly inspect tobacco shops and businesses selling e-cigarettes. According to statistics, from 2021 to 2024, a total of 61 establishments were inspected, resulting in 48 violation notices being issued and nearly 13,000 items being confiscated. These items included e-cigarettes, e-cigarette devices, accessories, e-liquid, and pods, with a total weight exceeding 650 kilograms.


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