Brazil launches public health campaigns to combat smoking and vaping

Health authorities in Brazil are launching initiatives to combat smoking and raise awareness about lung health. The Ministry of Health has introduced the “Conte o que o cigarro não mostra” campaign, inviting smokers, former smokers, and their families to share personal experiences regarding the impact of tobacco use on daily life and relationships. These testimonials will be used to develop new imagery and messaging for cigarette packaging and to refine public smoking prevention policies.

Simultaneously, the Medical Department of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), supported by the Rio de Janeiro Society of Pulmonology and Tisiology (Sopterj), is conducting the “Agosto Branco” campaign. This initiative focuses on lung health, early cancer diagnosis, and the specific risks associated with electronic cigarettes (vapes), which have seen increased use among adolescents and young adults.

These efforts come amid data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca) indicating approximately 35,380 new lung cancer cases in Brazil annually. Recent Ministry of Health findings also suggest a reversal in long-term trends, with the adult smoking population in Brazil rising to 11.7% in 2024.