A survey conducted by HSR Health in partnership with the Campaign Against Cancer Data Working Group for All interviewed 979 people about e-cigarettes. The survey was conducted in April, when Anvisa (National Health Supervision Authority) decided to maintain a ban on the manufacture, import, marketing, distribution, storage and transportation of all e-cigarette devices, as well as advertising. Of the participants, 54 percent were male, 60 percent were between the ages of 25 and 44, 63 percent were in class AB, and 56 percent were employed. According to the survey, 89% of people have heard of e-cigarettes, 18% have used e-cigarettes, and 3% are currently using e-cigarettes, especially among young adults aged 16 to 24. By comparison, the total percentage of smokers in Brazil aged 18 or over is 9.3 percent, according to the Health Ministry.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued warnings to protect children from the tobacco industry. A report by the group shows that in some countries, more young people use e-cigarettes than adults. According to the document, “approximately 37 million children aged 13 to 15 use tobacco, and in many places, youth e-cigarette consumption rates exceed those of adults.” In the World Health Organization’s European Region, for example, 20 percent of 15-year-olds surveyed said they had used these devices. For the organization, e-cigarettes pose a serious threat to young people and tobacco control. “Studies have shown that e-cigarette use has increased the use of traditional cigarettes by nearly three times, especially among young non-smokers.”
