According to a report by the Brazilian media Senate News Agency on January 11, Senator Randolph Rodrigues has proposed a bill aimed at protecting the health of minors. The bill seeks to criminalize the sale or provision of e-cigarettes or similar devices to individuals under the age of 18.
The bill has been incorporated into the Children and Youth Law, explicitly specifying the range of penalties, including imprisonment for two to six years and a maximum fine of 94,600 reals (approximately 19,000 US dollars).
The bill (PL 6.161/2023) not only establishes fixed fines, but also sets a range of escalating penalties for various scenarios, including the origin of goods, criminal affiliations, and abuse of public office. The use of extreme methods such as violence, threats, firearms, or other forms of intimidation will result in increased fines.
The bill also stipulates the confiscation of criminal proceeds and assets, which will be allocated to the Children and Youth Rights Fund in crime-affected areas. Within 120 days of the bill's publication, the Ministry of Health will establish an interdepartmental and interregional task force to analyze, improve, and propose government and regulatory measures for the supply of e-cigarette devices.
Despite a ban on e-cigarette sales by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) since 2009, data shows that Brazil still has 2.2 million e-cigarette users, with nearly a quarter of them falling in the 18 to 24 age range. The National Cancer Institute maintains that e-cigarettes contain toxic substances that could lead to cancer, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues warns that the shortcomings in Anvisa's regulations have had "disastrous consequences" for public health in Brazil, particularly with regards to the impact on children and adolescents. He proposes this legislation with the aim of reclaiming Brazil's leadership position in the global anti-smoking movement, by extending regulations to new technologies in order to effectively prevent the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
