In a vote, Anvisa decides to maintain a ban on electronic cigarettes in Brazil

The board of authorities at Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) voted to approve the resolution that bans electronic cigarettes, during a vote this Friday afternoon (19).

Of the five members, all voted for the ban: Anvisa's CEO, Antonio Barra Torres, directors Danitza Passamai Buvinich and Meiruze Souza Freitas, and directors Daniel Pereira and Rômison Rodrigues Mota.

The resolution being voted on at the agency includes a ban on the manufacture, import, marketing, distribution, storage, transportation and advertising of electronic smoking devices, such as pods and vapes.

Among the reasons given by the directors, the popularity of the products among young people and the lack of scientific studies on the effects of their use were the most cited.

In her vote, Barra Torres also cited the use of DEFs (electronic cigarettes), often considered a less harmful alternative to regular cigarettes.

“Electronic cigarettes are often promoted as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. However, to date, it has not been proven that the marketing of electronic cigarettes as consumer products has brought a benefit to public health. Instead, alarming evidence is mounting about its adverse effects on the health of the population,” explained the director.

Barras Torres completed the vote: “Urgent measures are needed to prevent the use of electronic cigarettes and combat nicotine dependence, together with a comprehensive approach to tobacco control and in light of national circumstances.”

Note from Abifumo

In reaction to the ban, the Brazilian Tobacco Industry Association (ABIFUMO) spoke out by pointing out points in favor of regulating electronic cigarettes.

In a note, the association mentioned resolutions from other countries that authorize the sale of electronic cigarettes, and cites the result of the public consultation promoted by Anvisa itself on the topic.

In the public consultation, 37% of participants were in favor of keeping these products banned in the country, while 59% said they had a different or opposite opinion. Among health professionals, the ban was highly rated by 61%.

Read in full

Brazilian Tobacco Industry Association – ABIFUMO

By maintaining the prohibition on manufacturing, marketing and transporting electronic cigarettes legally, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) ignores the lessons learned from more than 80 countries that have already authorized the sale of Electronic Smoking Devices (DEFs) with clear rules for phytosanitary control, restriction of points of sale and taxation of manufacturers. The US, Canada, European Union, Japan and many other countries have pursued smart regulations that protect consumers by allowing them to purchase legal, tested products rather than funding organized crime.

To date, the ban on electronic cigarettes has not prevented the advancement of consumption in Brazil. In addition to 3 million regular adult consumers, 6 million say they have already tried the product (Ipec 2023), an increase of around 600% since 2018.

Anvisa's position also contradicts the result of the Public Consultation carried out by the agency itself, in which 59% of participants declared that maintaining the ban would have negative impacts on the country.

Therefore, we reinforce the need for the National Congress and the Federal Government to expand the debate in search of modern legislation, in line with the main experiences in the world, that guarantees safe devices and origin control, including strict measures to prevent consumption by children under 18 years of age who, under no circumstances, should have access to these products. The ban does not protect Brazilian consumers from the lack of control of the illegal market.