The Brazilian government has announced a new crack down on digital platforms advertising vapes.
The National Consumer Secretary, Senacon (a government agency linked to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security), last week ordered sites including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Enjoei, and Mercado Livre, to remove adverts promoting or selling vapes within 48 hours.
The sale, import, and advertising of vapes has been illegal in Brazil since 2009.
However, recent data shows vaping has risen by 600 per cent in the country since 2008, with sales partly driven by social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, according to a government report.
Blanket vape ban upheld
The latest directive follows a decision by Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency, Anvisa, last month to continue its blanket ban on vapes.
The digital platforms were notified that all vape adverts must be taken down by last Thursday, May 1. Senacon also advised that companies must strengthen their controls to avoid new adverts appearing on their sites.
“It is illegal and represents serious risks to public health, because they lack regulation or authorisation to be marketed,” National Consumer Secretary Wadih Damous said in a statement.
Survey found 1,822 illegal adverts
A survey for the National Council to Combat Piracy and Crimes against Intellectual Property (CNCP), linked to Senacon, recently found 1,822 illegal pages or adverts related to vapes on the notified platforms.
It said almost 1.5 million subscribers were targeted with these adverts, with Instagram accounting for 88.5 per cent of these ads, YouTube 6.6 per cent, and Mercado Livre 2.4 per cent. TikTok and Enjoei were reported to have a lower volume of occurrences.
CNCP Executive-Secretary Andrey Correa said: “Cooperation between the public sector and technology companies is fundamental to preventing the circulation of illegal products. Our goal is to ensure that the digital environment respects legislation and promotes consumer safety.”
‘Virtual vape stores’ for nicotine pouches must be removed
Earlier last month, Senacon notified the digital platform Nuvemshop to remove virtual stores that illegally commercialised nicotine pouches.
The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) said the sharp rise in vaping in Brazil since the ban began shows it has simply fuelled the illegal market, creating more risks.
At the same time, Brazil’s smoking rate is falling by an average of just 0.4 per cent per year.
Michael Landl, Director of the WVA, said: “Brazil’s experience makes it clear: prohibition doesn’t stop people from vaping, it just makes it less safe. Smokers want and need alternatives that are less harmful than cigarettes. A well-regulated market for vaping would protect consumers and help reduce smoking rates much faster.”
Policymakers should introduce ‘sensible regulation’
Amanda de Matos, WVA’s Brazilian Social Media Manager, added: “Our current ban is failing both smokers and public health. Brazil should follow successful harm reduction models and give smokers access to regulated, safer products. It’s time to put people’s health first and demand science-based policies.”
The WVA has urged Brazilian policymakers to introduce sensible regulation for vaping and other safer nicotine products to protect consumers and accelerate progress in reducing smoking.
