On April 10, 2024, Brazilian activist Suely Castro unveiled a groundbreaking initiative in Brasília named “Quit Like Sweden” This platform is inspired by Sweden’s acclaimed success in tobacco control and harm reduction, aiming to propel global adoption of these effective strategies. Sweden’s efforts have reduced its smoking rate to a mere 5.6%, nearing the “smoke-free country” benchmark of less than 5% set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSTP). Brazil, with a current smoking rate of 9.1%, stands to gain significantly from implementing similar policies.
Quit Like Sweden: A Hub for Tobacco Control Knowledge
Suely Castro emphasized that “Quit Like Sweden” will serve as a central resource for information and research accessible to media personnel, politicians, and the public. The platform aims to adapt Sweden’s successful tobacco control measures to suit Brazil’s specific needs while providing effective smoking cessation alternatives to traditional cigarettes.
Legislative Support and E-Cigarette Regulation
The initiative gained further attention with the support of Senator Soraya Thronicke, who attended the launch. Senator Thronicke is the proponent of Bill No. 5,008, introduced in 2023, which seeks to regulate the production, marketing, and dissemination of e-cigarettes in Brazil. This bill is currently under scrutiny by the Senate’s Economic Affairs Committee (CAE) and will soon be subject to a public hearing.
Senator Thronicke advocates for Brazil to draw lessons from countries that have successfully regulated e-cigarettes and other similar products. She highlighted that while these products are not without risk, they are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, suggesting a potential shift in Brazil’s tobacco regulation policies.
Anvisa’s Upcoming Review on E-Cigarettes
Additionally, the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) is set to revisit the rules concerning electronic vaping devices (referred to as DEFs in Brazil) on April 17, 2024. These devices have been banned under Board Resolution (RDC) No. 46 since 2009, but the upcoming board meeting may potentially revise these regulations.
This movement spearheaded by “Quit Like Sweden” not only seeks to reduce smoking rates but also reflects a broader shift towards public health innovation and harm reduction in Brazil. As the country contemplates new regulatory frameworks for tobacco and nicotine products, the outcomes could significantly impact public health strategies and tobacco control efforts nationwide.
