Brazilian smokers are ready for the ban on flavour additives in tobacco to be implemented

Prev Med. 2022 Jul:160:107074. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107074. Epub 2022 May 10.

Abstract

Brazil became the first country to approve a national policy to ban all flavour additives in all tobacco leaf products in 2012. However, as of February 2022, the policy remained to be implemented. Cross-sectional data come from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Brazil Wave 3 Survey among adult smokers (N = 1216) in 2016-2017. The majority of smokers supported a ban on menthol (56.0%; 95%CI: 51.7-60.2%) and a ban on all additives (61.7%; 57.5-65.8%), with no significant differences across sociodemographic groups in adjusted logistic regression models. More than half of menthol smokers reported they would either quit or reduce the amount they smoked if menthol cigarettes were banned. Findings suggest that there is support for Brazil's ban on flavour additives, which is a determinant of successful policy implemented. Continued delays will postpone an important measure with demonstrated public health gains.

Keywords: Ban on flavours; Brazil; Menthol; Tobacco additives; Tobacco policy support.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Flavoring Agents
  • Humans
  • Menthol
  • Nicotiana
  • Smokers
  • Smoking Cessation*
  • Tobacco Products*

Substances

  • Flavoring Agents
  • Menthol