The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The Brazilian Tobacco Control Program has achieved positive results, as a 42% reduction in the per capita cigarette consumption and a 40% decrease in smoking prevalence. These results were possible because the Ministry of Health has invested in tobacco regulation measures, along with the increase in population and stakeholders' awareness, protection from second-hand smoke, and promotion of smoking cessation. Still, the tobacco industry has worked to minimize the impact of our achievements by product modification and by innovative ways of advertising at points of sale.

Methods: Description of the legislative measures and actions developed to promote tobacco product regulation, the achievements reached, the challenges still to be faced and the steps taken in the definition of a national tobacco product regulation policy.

Results: Through laws and regulations, Brazil has succeeded in advancing in the tobacco product regulation area. Among the achievements, Brazil was the first country in the world to prohibit the use of tobacco product descriptors and the second to include graphic health warning messages on cigarette packs. Nevertheless, the tobacco industry has imposed new challenges, and to face them, Brazil is investing in building a tobacco research and testing laboratory, which will serve as reference to Latin American countries, to inform about the risks of every marketed tobacco product; and in promoting capacity building among the food and drug regulation professionals in our states and municipalities, to enforce the smoke-free environment law in bars and restaurants and to control tobacco product advertising at the points of sale.