# Youth smoking and vaping trends in Brazil > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/youth-smoking-rates-in-brazil > Updated: 2026-09-04T19:41:32.000Z. Sources: 43. Developments: 3. Research by the A. C. Camargo Cancer Center and Nexus indicates that smoking rates in Brazil are highest among Generation Z, specifically the 16 to 24 age demographic. At 19%, this group’s usage of both conventional and electronic cigarettes exceeds the national average of 17%. While traditional cigarette use is declining among adults, the rise of vaping poses new challenges. Medical professionals warn that electronic cigarettes, often marketed with flavors to appeal to younger demographics, can serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction. Recent data from the IBGE National School Health Survey (PeNSE) highlights this surge, showing that adolescent experimentation with vapes or pods rose nationally from 16.8% in 2019 to 29.6% in 2024. In the South region, 38.3% of students aged 13 to 17 have experimented with these devices. In response to these trends, the Ministry of Health is launching the ‘Minha História Sem Filtro’ campaign. Promoted at the Rock in Rio festival, the initiative encourages smokers and former smokers to share personal testimonials regarding the health and social impacts of tobacco to inform future public policies and packaging imagery. While adult smoking rates showed a slight increase to 11.7% in 2024, the demand for cessation support is rising. In 2025, 2.1 million people sought help through the Unified Health System (SUS). This follows local efforts in cities like Rio Branco, Niterói, and João Pessoa, which provide free medical monitoring and nicotine replacement therapies. ## Claims - A study conducted by the A. C. Camargo Cancer Center and Nexus surveyed over 2,000 people in Brazil. (corroborated by 5 sources) - 19% of Brazilians aged 16 to 24 are active smokers of conventional or electronic cigarettes. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The smoking rate among youth is higher than the national average of 17%. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Approximately 33% of the Brazilian population is exposed to secondhand smoke in homes or workplaces. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The average age for first contact with cigarettes is 16 years old. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Smoking increases the risk of coronary disease and stroke by two to four times. (single source) - An estimated 20.4 million people in Brazil are affected by tobacco and its derivatives. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-04: Brazil addresses rising electronic cigarette use among youth Brazil faces rising electronic cigarette use among adolescents, with 38.3% of youth in the South region experimenting with vapes. The Ministry of Health is launching new awareness campaigns to combat tobacco. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-addresses-rising-electronic-cigarette-use-among-youth ### 2026-08-25: Brazil smoking trends show rising youth nicotine use New data shows smoking rates are highest among Brazilian youth (16-24) at 19%, driven by traditional and electronic cigarettes, while cities expand free cessation programs. 38 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-youth-smoking-rates-highest-among-16-24-age-group ### 2026-08-23: Brazil smoking rates highest among Generation Z A study shows 19% of Brazil's Generation Z are active smokers, a rate higher than the national average of 17%. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-smoking-rates-highest-among-generation-z --- Cite as: Youth smoking and vaping trends in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/youth-smoking-rates-in-brazil