BAT Brasil has not given up its lobbying efforts and is backing a proposed bill to legalize the regulation of vapes, despite a decision in December by Brazil’s National Health watchdog, Anvisa, to uphold a ban on the sale of vapes.
Key points:
1. Lobbying methods: British American Tobacco (BAT) conveys to the public and regulators the image of “electronic cigarettes can be regulated, controllable and technologically mature” by organizing media to visit R&D plants and display scientific and technological investment.
2. Clear positioning of industry demands: BAT does not advocate the complete liberalization of vapes, but promotes a controlled, standardized and registered legal market to counter black market products.
3. Signs of a shift in government regulation: Although Anvisa had maintained the ban, the regulator’s rhetoric has changed from “absolute prohibition” to “serious consideration” of industry information, softening its attitude.
4. Cooperation at the legislative level: BAT clearly supports the bill proposed by the senator (PL 5008/2023), which shows that it not only lobbies from the perspective of the executive agency but also promotes legalization through the legislative path.
5. Industry impact estimates: Once the bill is passed, Brazil will become the first major country in Latin America to open up the vape market, opening up a new market with predictable regulation for international companies.
According to Metro1 on April 10, despite the decision of Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to maintain the ban on the sale of vapes in December last year. BAT Brasil has not given up its lobbying efforts and is instead supporting a proposed bill to legalize the regulation of vapes.
To strengthen public opinion guidance, BAT recently invited 17 journalists from about 15 media outlets to visit its research and development center in Rio Grande do Sul. The center focuses on the research and development of new harm-reduction products. BAT to emphasize the scientific and technological content and safety of its products, in an attempt to create a “compliant alternative” image in the public opinion.
BAT’s institutional affairs manager said the company does not advocate liberalizing sales but supports comprehensive regulation of the vape market.
The bill supported by the BAT, proposed by Senator Soraya Thronicke (from the Podemos-MS party), aims to promote the establishment of a regulatory system for the entire chain of vapes in Brazil, from the control of raw materials to the distribution of finished products into the legal framework. The proposal proposes adopting a regulatory model similar to the one in the United Kingdom – that is, restricting the sale of traditional cigarettes while encouraging vapes as a smoking cessation tool.
Although Anvisa launched a public consultation on vapes last year and received more than 13,000 responses, its final position is not yet clear. The agency said in a statement that the issue is currently “at the stage of technical analysis, taking into account the scientific evidence received and the socio-economic context of Brazil.”
This series of actions shows that Brazil’s vape policy is at a critical game stage. The interaction between industry and regulators could have a profound impact on the country’s future path to tobacco harm reduction.
