State Representative Marcos da Rosa (União) of Santa Catarina submitted a bill to the state legislature proposing the establishment of a youth vape use prevention program in all public and private schools across the state, as well as the development of an interdepartmental protocol for handling vape seizures on school grounds. The proposal stems from public health concerns over the rising use of vapes among local youth and has been referred to the Constitutional and Judicial Committee (CCJ) for review.
Key Points:
- Proposer: State Representative Marcos da Rosa (União) of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
- Core Measures: Establish a youth vape use prevention program covering all public and private schools in the state; develop an interdepartmental action protocol for situations where vapes are seized on campus.
- Stakeholders: Schools, health departments, social assistance systems, judicial systems, and families will collaborate.
- Proposal Motivation: The rise in vape (vapes, vapes, DEF) use among adolescents in the state poses risks to their physical and mental health and the school environment.
- Policy Approach: Emphasizes education, guidance, and prevention rather than punishment.
- Reference Experience: Draws on the practices outlined in Cascavel City Resolution No. 095/2024 regarding campus response and governance.
- Current progress: The bill is currently under review by the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ).
State Representative from Santa Catarina, Brazil, proposes legislation
According to a report by Informeblumenau on August 21. Marcos da Rosa (União), a member of the Santa Catarina State Legislative Assembly, formally submitted a bill to establish a youth vape use prevention program in public and private schools across the state and to create an interdepartmental action agreement to regulate the handling of vape devices found on school grounds. The legislator pointed out that with the growing popularity of vapes among adolescents, campus health and safety are being challenged, necessitating systematic measures to address the issue.
D’Aroza stated that vapes are rapidly penetrating campuses with their “modern appearance and scents,” posing significant risks to adolescents’ physical, mental, and emotional health. He emphasized that the governance approach should not prioritize punishment but instead establish a sustainable protective network through education, guidance, support, and early intervention.
According to the proposal, the prevention plan will mobilize school communities, health institutions, social assistance systems, the judicial system, and families to participate in building an integrated closed-loop system encompassing publicity and education, risk screening, intervention referrals, and follow-up tracking. The bill also references experiences from other states and municipalities, particularly Cascavell City Resolution No. 095/2024, to establish clear identification, disposal, and coordination procedures for the use and trade of vapes within schools.
The bill has been submitted to the State Legislative Assembly’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) for constitutional and legal review, and will subsequently proceed to relevant specialized committees and a plenary vote.
