In 2022, an estimated 21 million adults aged 15 years and over in Brazil were tobacco product users. This positions Brazil as the 8th globally and the 2nd in the WHO Americas Region in terms of the number of tobacco users.
Nicotine Alternatives
There are no reduced-risk nicotine tools legally available in Brazil.
HEALTH AND ECONOMIC BURDEN FROM TOBACCO USE
In 2019, it is estimated that tobacco was the 3rd highest risk factor that drove the most death and disability combined in Brazil.
Tobacco was responsible for an estimated 191,127 deaths (about a little over a quarter (25%) of total
Of tobacco deaths, 170 thousand, or 89% were due to smoking, and 28 thousand, or 14.5% from secondhand smoke.
In 2019, the top 10 causes of the most deaths in Brazil included Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) ranking 1th, Stroke ranking 2nd, and COPD ranking 4th.
Tobacco was responsible for 40 thousand or 25% of all IHD deaths, 20 thousand or 18% of all Stroke deaths, 23 thousand or 83% of all Lung Cancer deaths, and 36 thousand or 80% of all COPD deaths in Brazil.
In 2020 the direct cost to the health system attributed to smoking was estimated to be 50,28 billion BRL (USD 8.9 billion)or 0.7% of GDP, representing a heavy burden on the economy.
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Public Health Commitment
Brazil ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, and the WHO Illicit Trade Protocol in 2018.
Implemented Graphical Health Warnings (GHWs) on cigarette packages in 2002, covering 30% of the front and 100% of the back surfaces of the packages.
In 2012, Brazil became the first country to outlaw flavored cigarettes, additives such as menthol, and other flavors in tobacco products.
Diversity of Tobacco Market
HTPs (heated -tobacco products) are legally not available in Brazil. Although e-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products, their sale, importation, and distribution are also prohibited since 2009.
Taxation Policy
In 2022, the total tax rate on retail prices of a pack of cigarettes was 80.2%.
Smoking and Advertising Bans
Brazil implemented comprehensive smoking and advertising bans on tobacco products with moderate to complete compliance respectively in 2022.
Age Restrictions
Tobacco products cannot be sold to individuals younger than 18 years of age.
Illicit Cigarette Trade
Estimated figures suggest that Brazil has been grappling with illicit cigarette trade capturing little over a quarter of the market with 27.5% in 2008, then consistently increasing and capturing almost half, 49.4% of the market in 2022.
TOBACCO PRODUCTION AND DIVERSIFICATION
Brazil stands out as one of the largest global producers of unmanufactured tobacco. In 2022, it produced 667.3 thousand tons, representing approximately 11.5% of the worldwide production of 5.8 million tons. This replaced Brazil the 3rd largest producers the globe.
Compared with the production figures in 2010, when Brazil cultivated 787.8 thousand tons of unmanufactured tobacco, there has been a noteworthy reduction of 15.3% in 2022.
Additionally, Brazil employed an estimated 325.2 thousand hectares of land for tobacco cultivation in 2022, reflecting a considerable decrease of 27.7% compared to the land area used for the same purpose in 2010 (FAOSTAT)
As research findings become available that are inclusive of additional gender identities, the Foundation will update the information presented.
