In 2024, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) seized 623,437 electronic smoking devices, known as electronic cigarettes, vapes or pods, on the country’s federal highways.
The number represents a 153% increase compared to the previous year, when the institution confiscated 246,430 units.
Paraná is the state that leads the seizure statistics, with more than 500 thousand devices removed from circulation. São Paulo occupied second place, with more than 40 thousand items, and Mato Grosso do Sul, in third place, confiscated more than 30 thousand electronic cigarettes.
See the ranking:
Paraná
- 2023 : 149,590 units
- 2024 : 525,154 units
São Paulo
- 2023 : 11,000 units
- 2024 : 41,704 units
Mato Grosso do Sul
- 2023 : 56,359 units
- 2024 : 30,672 units
The geographic proximity to Paraguay is directly linked to the high rate of flagrant transport of electronic cigarettes in Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. The products enter illegally through the border region.
Those caught by the PRF illegally transporting electronic cigarettes are detained for smuggling. Between January and October 2024, 168 people were arrested in Brazil. The penalty for the crime is two to five years in prison.
According to Mateus de Paula, spokesperson for the PRF, the institution “works to identify, through risk analysis supported by our Intelligence, use of technology and actions with other security forces, the illegal transport of electronic cigarettes and prevent them from products enter the country, especially through Paraná, the main gateway”.
Prohibition
The sale of so-called “vapes” and similar products has been prohibited by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) since 2009. This prohibition, however, does not extend to consumption.
In 2019, Anvisa began a process of reviewing the standard. In April 2024, the regulation was updated and the agency maintained the ban on manufacturing, importing, marketing, distribution, storage and transportation, and advertising of all electronic smoking devices.
Health risks
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers electronic cigarettes a health threat. Using these devices can result in significantly greater intoxication compared to using conventional cigarettes.
Furthermore, the use of electronic cigarettes has been associated with an increased risk of initiating traditional cigarette smoking among children and young people. The WHO recommends that countries treat e-cigarettes in the same way as tobacco.
The advancement of the illegal market brings serious consequences, such as the application of highly toxic and illegal substances in vape liquids, increasing health risks.
Project in the Senate
The Federal Senate is discussing a bill that authorizes the consumption, production, commercialization, export and import of electronic smoking devices.
Furthermore, the project establishes guidelines for the control, inspection and advertising of these products.
The text awaits a vote in the Economic Affairs Committee (CAE), which postponed the analysis of the text of the proposal in August last year.
The proposal also prohibits the sale of these items to minors under 18 and establishes a fine ranging from R$20,000 to R$10 million, in addition to imprisonment for two to four years.
The topic is not a consensus in the Senate. After passing through the board, the project still needs to be considered in the plenary.
Presented last year by senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos-MS), PL nº 5.008/2023 is reported by senator Eduardo Gomes (PL-TO), who is in favor of regulation.
This content was originally published in Electronic cigarette seizures grow 153% in 2024 on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil

I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.