Anvisa opens public consultations on new health warnings for tobacco product packaging and retail display
Participation is open until November 23
The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) launched two public consultations to help establish health warnings and messages for tobacco-derived smoking products.
The goal is to revise Normative Instructions (IN) 332/2024 and 331/2024, responsible for enforcing health warnings and messages to be used on the packaging and displays of tobacco-derived smoking products.
How to contribute
The full proposals are available for contributions. The documents include the health warnings, messages and images that will replace those currently in use. Suggestions may be submitted by November 23.
Public Consultation 1424/2026: proposal for a Normative Instruction (IN) establishing the health warnings and messages to be used on the packaging of tobacco-derived smoking products, according to Anvisa Board of Directors Resolution (RDC) 838/2023.
Public Consultation 1425/2026: proposal for a Normative Instruction (IN) establishing the health warnings and messages to be used on display units and showcases for tobacco-derived smoking products, as set forth in Resolution RDC 840/2023.
The proposals were developed by the Licensing and Inspection of Smoke Products General Office (GGTAB) and approved by Anvisa Board of Directors on September 16.
Regulatory aspects
In 1996, Law 9.294/1996 was enacted, banning smoking product advertising in Brazil, including cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, pipes, or any kind of smoking product, whether derived from tobacco or not. The only exception is the display of these products at sale points, provided they show the health warnings enforced.
Law 9.782/1999 established Anvisa as the regulatory authority to regulate, control, and surveil products and services posing risks to public health, including cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, hand-rolled cigarettes, and any other smoking product, whether derived from tobacco or not.
Therefore, since 2001, the Agency has enacted norms and regulations for health warnings and messages to be printed on all those products’ packaging and displays.
Due to the well-documented health risks associated with smoking products, countries led by the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) signed an international treaty, which guides the actions to be taken by nations. Brazil signed the treaty in 2003. Three years later, Decree 5.658/2006 was issued.
According to the regulation, the spread of the tobacco epidemic is a global problem with serious public health consequences. It requires broad international cooperation and the participation of all countries in an effective, appropriate, and integrated international response.
The decree set forth an important advance, with obligations and rules regarding tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.