On 28 December 2010, Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) published the results of a consultation about limiting points of sale of tobacco products. Based on their findings, ANVISA is developing a proposal to ban shops from displaying all kinds of tobacco products. The new restrictions would entail hiding tobacco displays and keeping cigarettes under the counter.

Points of sale displays and advertising have been critical issues in the implementation of tobacco control policies in Brazil.  Much still needs to be done to protect consumers from aggressive advertising campaigns in a country where around 19% of men and 12% of women smoke.

In an effort to implement stronger regulations, ANVISA will also seek to introduce an additional health warning on cigarette packets. In addition to the existing pictorial warning that covers 100% of the back of these packets, a new text warning will cover 50% of the front. This will give information about the damage that smoking causes and direct smokers to quit-line services.

ANVISA is the regulatory agency involved in the development of tobacco control policy in Brazil. ANVISA has received extensive technical support from The Union and from other NGOs such as Aliança de Controle do Tabagismo (ACT) and the National Institute of Cancer (INCA), both funded by The Union through the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use.

Upon further consultation with the public, civil society and other stakeholders, ANVISA will submit their new proposal for ratification after March 2011.