The directors of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) meet, this Wednesday (17/4), to debate the situation of electronic cigarettes in Brazil. The meeting aims to discuss the proposal to maintain the ban on marketing, manufacturing and importing, as well as advertising these products by any means.
Electronic smoking devices (DEFs), known as electronic cigarettes, have been banned in Brazil since 2009, as well as vapes, pods, and accessories that fall into this category.
Anvisa had approved the public consultation on the regulation of electronic cigarettes in 2023. The opinion of the population and experts would be accepted to help draft a possible rule that regulates these devices instead of banning them.
In 2022, the agency would have unanimously approved a report that proposed maintaining the ban and recommended the adoption of measures to improve supervision.
In 2019, Anvisa began a process of updating the legislation that prohibits the sale of these products.
Health risks
The Ministry of Health has already taken a stance against easing the ban, arguing that the use of these devices represents a risk to the health of the Brazilian population. One in 10 people is a smoker in Brazil and vape users have a 78% chance of suffering from shortness of breath, according to the National Cancer Institute (Inca).
Some entities still support the flexibility of sales, arguing that the market accesses the products through phytosanitary control, monitoring and inspecting the sale of the devices.
