Brazil pushes national COPD plan as tobacco control gains momentum

In Brasília, a seminar titled “The Breath of Life – Impacts of Tobacco on Lung Health” was held at the Chamber of Deputies on World No‑Tobacco Day. Parliamentarians, health experts, civil‑society representatives and private‑sector executives gathered to stress the need for stronger tobacco‑prevention actions, greater public awareness and reinforced health‑policy measures.

The discussion highlighted that 477 Brazilians die each day from smoking‑related diseases and that the country spends roughly R$ 153 billion on medical costs and lost productivity—about five times the profit earned by the tobacco industry. Participants promoted Bill 949/24, already approved by the Chamber and now moving through the Senate, which would establish a national plan for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care within the Unified Health System. The proposal is currently in a public‑consultation phase. Marco Ruggiero, president of Chiesi Brazil, reiterated the private sector’s commitment, stating, “Each breath counts and every life saved matters.”