Maternal smoking prevalence in Brazil in 2013 and 2019: not what we expected when they were expecting!

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring tobacco use during pregnancy is critical for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We examined changes between 2013 and 2019 in the relative differences in smoking prevalence rates between pregnant and non-pregnant women aged 18-49 years. METHODS: We used data from a nationally representative health survey conducted in Brazil in 2013 and 2019. A generalized linear model with binomial family and logarithmic link function was used to estimate, for each year of analysis, the crude and adjusted (by age-group, educational attainment, place of residence, and status of protection from passive smoking at home) relative differences. RESULTS: In 2013,the proportion point estimate of tobacco use among pregnant women was lower than that observed among non-pregnant women (4.7% vs. 9.6%). However, in 2019 proportion point estimates were virtually the same (8.5% vs. 8.4%). After adjustment for selected variables, in 2013, smoking prevalence among pregnant women was 42% (p-value≤0.05) lower than that observed among non-pregnant women. On the other hand, in 2019, maternal smoking prevalence was 13% (p-value>0.05) higher than that found among non-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing tobacco industry interference and the marketing of tobacco products to vulnerable populations pose serious threats to public health and likely contributed to increasing maternal smoking prevalence. The fact that women smoke in such an important phase of their and their unborn children's lives reinforces the need to strengthen the implementation of concurrent tobacco control actions, including tobacco excise tax policy and pre-natal tobacco prevention and cessation interventions as part of health professionals' routine consultation. IMPLICATIONS: The decline in smoking prevalence among non-pregnant women between 2013 and 2019 was accompanied by an increase in maternal smoking prevalence. Monitoring tobacco use during pregnancy is critical for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Ongoing tobacco industry interference and the marketing of tobacco products to vulnerable populations in Brazil pose serious threats to public health. The fact that women smoke in such an important phase of their and their unborn children's lives reinforces the need to strengthen the implementation of concurrent tobacco control actions, including tobacco excise tax policy and primary healthcare professionals´ tobacco-related assistance during interaction with their patients.

The cigarette market in Brazil: new evidence on illicit practices from the 2019 National Health Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To explore new evidence on illicit practices, such as selling legal brands below the minimum legal price (MLP), and smugglers selling illicit brands at or above the MLP. METHODS: For the first time in Brazil, self-reported information on cigarette brand name and price paid per pack in smokers' last purchase from a nationally representative survey conducted in 2019 was used to distinguish the illicit and the legal markets. We estimated the proportion of illicit cigarette consumption, using the combination of brand and price. RESULTS: The proportion of smuggled illicit cigarette consumption based on brands not approved on the Brazilian market was estimated at 38.6% (95% CI: 35.8% to 41.5%). When we added legal brands not paying taxes, it increased to 47.1% (95% CI: 44.2% to 49.9%). Around 25% of illicit brand cigarettes were sold at or above MLP. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, since 2017 there is a lack of adjustment in tobacco taxes and the MLP for inflation and income growth. The increase in cigarette affordability and the presence on the market of a segment of 'higher-priced' illicit brands suggest patterns of illicit brand loyalty and/or perceived 'brand quality' among smokers of illicit cigarettes. The evidence also shows that a sizeable proportion of legal brand cigarettes were sold below the MLP. This study offers insight into what happened in circumstances in which a government failed to keep current with tax policies and the monitoring of domestic manufacturing. Brazil has been a world leader in the monitoring of the tobacco epidemic, and this study also offers an innovative use of data that an increasing number of countries are collecting.

Straw cigarette branding: misleading descriptors and a new Marlboro man.

BACKGROUND: Straw cigarettes are hand-rolled tobacco in a corn straw, common in Brazil and believed to be less harmful by consumers. Traditionally consumed in rural areas and by men, a recent increase in use among young people in urban areas was observed. This study assessed marketing appeals of straw cigarette packaging in Brazil. METHODS: Following a systematic protocol, unique straw cigarette packs were purchased in 2013, 2016 and 2019 from three cities: Manaus, Salvador and São Paulo. Packs were double-coded for the absence/presence of marketing appeals (ie, luxury/quality, masculinity, classic/timeless, flavours and less harm). RESULTS: The number of unique straw cigarette packs purchased as part of the overall sample increased in the most recent collection: 2.3% (n=3), 1.3% (n=2) and 15.5% (n=27) in 2013, 2016 and 2019, respectively. Across the years, all packs presented luxury/quality elements (eg, images of crests); 93.8% (n=30) included the word 'artisanal'. Masculine appeal (eg, images of men) was present on 56.3% (n=18) of packs. Almost half had classic/timeless elements, including the words 'tradition'/'original'. In 2019, 59.3% (n=16) of the packs were flavoured compared with none in previous years. Over a quarter of all packs presented a less harm appeal (eg, 'smooth'). CONCLUSION: We identified an increase in availability of unique straw cigarette packs, strong branding and use of misleading descriptors on the packs. The adoption of plain packaging and the implementation of Brazil's additive ban could help to reduce the appeal of straw cigarettes and curb the current increase in use among youth.

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

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.

Cigarette butts in two urban areas from Brazil: Links among environmental impacts, demography and market.

Environmental impacts are currently linked to smoking cigarette behavior, as cigarette butts (CBs) represent the most common litter item in natural areas. Despite this, even the best ranked Brazilian cities, in terms of urban cleaning, have no information about urban littered CBs. Thus, CBs were monitored in Santos and Niterói cities, aiming to assess contamination, Cigarette Butt Pollution Index (CBPI) and the illegal market size. CBs were collected in 36 walkways considering different land usage types and urban density levels. The CBPI was calculated, and brands were used to identify the size of the illegal market. CBs contamination in Santos (0.25 CBs/m2) was three times higher than Niterói (0.08 CBs/m2) and their occurrence and distribution presented no relationship with land usage types and urban population densities levels. CBPI = 17.6 was severe and the highest so far reported. A total of 28 cigarette brands were found both studied cities. Further, illegal cigarette consumption in Santos and Niteroi was estimated, based on brands of collected CBs, at 25.2% and 36.8%, respectively. Such data may be valuable for implementation of logistic reverse actions seeking to environmentally sustainable and socially resilient cities. Cigarette consumption threatens human life and the environment, and tobacco companies should be accountable for the pollution they generate.

Cross-validation of four different survey methods used to estimate illicit cigarette consumption in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To cross-validate estimates of the size of the illicit cigarette trade based on the results of four different survey methods. METHODS: In 2018/2019, four non-industry-funded, large-scale studies were conducted in selected Brazilian cities: packs discarded in household garbage/PDG (1 city), packs littered in the streets/PLS (5 cities), a phone survey of tobacco users' purchase behaviors/VIGITEL (5 cities), and a face-to-face household survey of tobacco users' purchase behaviors/FTF-household (2 cities). The proportions of illicit cigarettes consumed were based on the price paid by smokers in their last purchase (VIGITEL or FTF-household) and/or direct observation of brand names and health warnings (PDG, PLS or FTF-household). RESULTS: Based on PLS, the share of packs that avoided taxation ranged from 30.4% (95% CI 25.6% to 35.7%) in Rio de Janeiro to 70.1% (95% CI 64.6% to 75.0%) in Campo Grande; and PDG conducted in Rio de Janeiro found an even lower proportion point estimate of illicit cigarette use (26.8%, 95% CI 25.1% to 28.6%). In FTF-household, the share of illicit cigarette consumption based on the self-reported price ranged from 29.1% (95% CI 22.4% to 35.7%) in Rio de Janeiro to 37.5% (95% CI 31.2% to 43.7%) in São Paulo, while estimates based on pack observation ranged from 29.9% (95% CI 23.3% to 36.5%) in Rio de Janeiro to 40.7% (95% CI 34.3% to 47.0%) in São Paulo. For all cities, VIGITEL presented the lowest levels of illicit consumption, and most illicit brands were produced in Paraguay. CONCLUSIONS: Small differences in the estimated levels of illicit trade across methods were found, except for the phone survey. The cross-validation of estimates from independent studies is important to help effectively implement tobacco excise tax policy in Brazil and other low-income and middle-income countries.

Smoke-free legislation and neonatal and infant mortality in Brazil: longitudinal quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of partial and comprehensive smoke-free legislation with neonatal and infant mortality in Brazil using a quasi-experimental study design. DESIGN: Monthly longitudinal (panel) ecological study from January 2000 to December 2016. SETTING: All Brazilian municipalities (n=5565). PARTICIPANTS: Infant populations. INTERVENTION: Smoke-free legislation in effect in each municipality and month. Legislation was encoded as basic (allowing smoking areas), partial (segregated smoking rooms) or comprehensive (no smoking in public buildings). Associations were quantified by immediate step and longer term slope/trend changes in outcomes. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Municipal-level linear fixed-effects regression models. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Infant and neonatal mortality. RESULTS: Implementation of partial smoke-free legislation was associated with a -3.3 % (95% CI -6.2% to -0.4%) step reduction in the municipal infant mortality rate, but no step change in neonatal mortality. Comprehensive smoke-free legislation implementation was associated with -5.2 % (95% CI -8.3% to -2.1%) and -3.4 % (95% CI -6.7% to -0.1%) step reductions in infant and neonatal mortality, respectively, and a -0.36 (95% CI -0.66 to-0.06) annual decline in the infant mortality rate. We estimated that had all smoke-free legislation introduced since 2004 been comprehensive, an additional 10 091 infant deaths (95% CI 1196 to 21 761) could have been averted. CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening smoke-free legislation in Brazil is associated with improvements in infant health outcomes-particularly under comprehensive legislation. Governments should accelerate implementation of comprehensive smoke-free legislation to protect infant health and achieve the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goal three.

Understanding the relationship between sales of legal cigarettes and deaths: A case-study in Brazil.

Brazil has experienced a large decline in cigarette consumption in the last 25years. However, the most recent annual reports from the tobacco industry market leader in Brazil did not show a decrease in its gross profits. This is particularly important because tobacco industry donations/sponsorships come directly from the industry's reported gross-profits and are used to subvert health policies. The aim of the present study was to estimate (i) tobacco industry's gross-profit from legal cigarettes sales, and (ii) all-cause smoking-attributable deaths (SADs) among current Brazilian smokers who consumed legal cigarettes in 2013. We collected information on prevalence of legal cigarette use, cigarette consumption, price per cigarette pack among individuals aged ≥35years from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, legal cigarettes sales (e.g., average costs and total volume of sales) provided by the Federal Secretariat of Revenues, and population mortality from the available vital statistics. With a gross-profit of US$1.378 billion (1.307-1.434) from sales of 54.6 billion sticks of cigarettes (53.4-55.5) to 8,424,510 smokers aged 35years and older in Brazil in 2013, cumulative SADs were estimated at 96,012 (85,647-107,654) (around 34% of cumulative SADs also including current smoking of illegal cigarettes and past smoking), i.e., one SAD was equivalent to a gross-profit of US$14,352 (12,140-16,743). Our results revealed the association between sales of cigarettes, gross-profits, and deaths in Brazil. As tobacco industry donations/sponsorships originate from industry's gross profits, which, in turn, depend on cigarette sales, our findings may be useful for increasing "moral pressure" on individuals and institutions and help countries in stopping tobacco industry interference in health policies.

Estimating the size of illicit tobacco consumption in Brazil: findings from the global adult tobacco survey.

BACKGROUND: Brazil experienced a large decline in smoking prevalence between 2008 and 2013. Tax rate increases since 2007 and a new tobacco tax structure in 2012 may have played an important role in this decline. However, continuous tax rate increases pushed up cigarette prices over personal income growth and, therefore, some consumers, especially lower income individuals, may have migrated to cheaper illicit cigarettes. OBJECTIVE: To use tobacco surveillance data to estimate the size of illicit tobacco consumption before and after excise tax increases. METHODS: We defined a threshold price and compared it with purchasing prices obtained from two representative surveys conducted in 2008 and 2013 to estimate the proportion of illicit cigarette use among daily smokers. Generalised linear model was specified to understand whether the absolute difference in proportions over time differed by sociodemographic groups and consumption levels. Our findings were validated using an alternative method. RESULTS: Total proportion of illicit daily consumption increased from 16.6% to 31.1% between 2008 and 2013. We observed a pattern of unadjusted absolute decreases in cigarette smoking prevalence and increases in the proportion of illicit consumption, irrespective of gender, age, educational level, area of residence and amount of cigarettes consumed. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of raising taxes has increased government revenues, reduced smoking prevalence and resulted in an increased illicit trade. Surveillance data can be used to provide information on illicit tobacco trade to help in the implementation of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) article 15 and the FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products.

Smokers in Brazil: who are they?

BACKGROUND: Brazil has experienced a large decline in smoking prevalence due to several tobacco control policies that were implemented in the past 25 years. Previous population-wide studies found a consistent reduction over time in daily cigarette consumption among all socioeconomic groups. OBJECTIVE: To examine changes between 2008 and 2013 in tobacco behaviours and health-related conditions of smokers. METHODS: We used data obtained from two nationally-representative surveys conducted in 2008 and 2013 to estimate the prevalence of self-reported psychological and physical morbidity, and nicotine dependence markers, stratified by gender and sociodemographic groups. Generalised linear models were used to understand whether absolute differences in prevalence rates over time differed by categories of selected variables. RESULTS: For both genders, as smoking prevalence declined in Brazil, there has been an increase in the proportion of ever smokers who have quit. In addition, remaining smokers seem to be making more quitting attempts. Among men with low educational level or younger than 25 years-old, as compared to their counterparts, cessation rate showed an even greater increase over time. Moreover, the proportion of light smokers, which represent the vast majority of smokers, did not decrease. The percentage of poor health-conditions among remaining smokers nevertheless increased, particularly among women, which can make future cessation more challenging. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, quitting rate is increasing, thus suggesting that tobacco control interventions implemented in Brazil in the past years seem to be effectively reaching the smoking population. This is strong evidence against the 'hardening hypothesis', which posits that remaining smokers decrease their willingness and ability to quit.

[The sale of single cigarettes in Brazil from 2008 to 2019: one more cause of concern?] / A venda de cigarros avulsos no Brasil entre 2008 e 2019: mais um motivo de preocupação?

In Brazil, the sale of cigarettes is only allowed in closed packages with 20 units. The evolution over time of the proportion of adult smokers who purchased single manufactured cigarettes in their last purchase was evaluated. Data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in 2008 and the Brazilian National Health Survey conducted in 2013 and 2019 were used. A generalized linear model was used to calculate the differences in the proportion of single cigarette purchases between the survey years, adjusted for sociodemographic and smoking behavior variables. Considering 2013 as the reference year, the relative differences in the proportions were, respectively, -15.3% (adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05) when compared to 2008, and +13.3 (adjusted p-value = 0.08) when compared to 2019. Approximately 20% of young adult smokers reported buying single cigarettes in 2019 and the difference in the proportion of single cigarette purchases between individuals aged 18 to 24 and those older likely increased from 2013 to 2019 (adjusted interaction p-value = 0.08). There are reasons for concern, as the strengthening of tax policy from 2008 to 2013 was accompanied by an increase in the proportion of purchases of single cigarettes. Despite the decrease in the real price of cigarette packs from 2017, a context of low effectiveness of implementation of other anti-smoking measures likely accentuated the difference in the proportion of purchase of single cigarettes between young people and adults. The continued presence of single cigarettes as a mode of acquisition contributes to economically vulnerable population subgroups becoming and/or remaining dependent on smoking behavior.

No Brasil, a venda de cigarros é permitida apenas em embalagens fechadas com 20 unidades. Avaliou-se a evolução ao longo do tempo da proporção de fumantes adultos que adquiriram cigarros industrializados avulsos na última compra. Utilizaram-se os dados da Pesquisa Especial de Tabagismo conduzida em 2008 e da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde conduzida em 2013 e 2019. Modelo linear generalizado foi usado para calcular as diferenças na proporção de compra de cigarros avulsos entre os anos das pesquisas, ajustadas por variáveis sociodemográficas e de comportamento de fumar. Considerando 2013 como ano de referência, as diferenças relativas entre as proporções foram, respectivamente, -15,3% (valor de p ajustado ≤ 0,05) na comparação com 2008, e +13,3 (valor de p ajustado = 0,08) na comparação com 2019. Cerca de 20% dos jovens adultos fumantes relataram comprar cigarro avulso em 2019 e a diferença na proporção de compra de cigarro avulso entre indivíduos de 18 a 24 anos e aqueles mais velhos provavelmente aumentou entre 2013 e 2019 (valor de p interação ajustado = 0,08). Há motivos de preocupação, pois o fortalecimento da política tributária entre 2008 e 2013 foi acompanhado de um aumento na proporção de compra de cigarros avulsos. Apesar da queda do preço real do maço de cigarros a partir de 2017, um contexto de baixa efetividade de implementação de outras medidas antitabagismo acentuou provavelmente a diferença da proporção de compra de cigarros avulsos entre jovens e adultos. A presença permanente do cigarro avulso como modalidade de aquisição contribui para que subgrupos populacionais mais vulneráveis do ponto de vista econômico se tornem e/ou permaneçam dependentes do comportamento de fumar.

En Brasil, la venta de cigarrillos está permitida solo en paquetes cerrados que llevan veinte unidades cada. Se evaluó la evolución a lo largo del tiempo de la proporción de fumadores adultos que adquirieron cigarrillos industrializados sueltos en la última compra. Se utilizaron los datos de la Encuesta Especial de Tabaquismo realizada en 2008 y de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud realizada en 2013 y 2019. Se utilizó un modelo lineal generalizado para calcular las diferencias en la proporción de compra de cigarrillos sueltos entre los años de las encuestas, ajustada por variables sociodemográficas y de comportamiento de fumar. Considerando 2013 como año de referencia, las diferencias relativas entre las proporciones fueron, respectivamente, -15,3% (valor de p ajustado ≤ 0,05) en comparación con 2008, y +13,3 (valor de p ajustado = 0,08) en comparación con 2019. Cerca del 20% de los fumadores jóvenes adultos informaron haber comprado cigarrillos sueltos en 2019, y es probable que la diferencia en la proporción de la compra de cigarrillos sueltos entre indivíduos de 18 y 24 años y aquellos más adultos haya aumentado entre 2013 y 2019 (valor de p de interacción ajustado = 0,08). Hay motivos de preocupación, ya que el fortalecimiento de la política fiscal entre 2008 y 2013 estuvo acompañado de un aumento en la proporción de compra de cigarrillos sueltos. Aunque el precio real del paquete de cigarrillos a partir de 2017, un contexto de baja efectividad en la implementación de otras medidas contra el tabaquismo probablemente acentuó la diferencia en la proporción de compra de cigarrillos sueltos entre jóvenes y adultos. La presencia continua de cigarrillos sueltos como modalidad de adquisición contribuye a que los subgrupos de la población económicamente más vulnerables se vuelvan y/o permanezcan dependientes del comportamiento de fumar.

Law compliance, why do we need it? Comparative data from the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE) on adolescents' access to cigarettes. / Lei, para que te quero? Dados comparativos da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) sobre acesso a cigarros por adolescentes.

In recent decades, Brazil has made significant progress in fighting the tobacco epidemic. However, recent national data suggest a probable stagnation in the reduction of smoking initiation among youth and adolescents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the evolution over time of compliance with the law that prohibits the sale of cigarettes to minors in Brazil. To this end, data from the Brazilian National Survey of School Health conducted in 2015 and 2019 were used. Percentages were estimated for "sequential" indicators created by combining answers to the questions "Did anyone refuse to sell you cigarettes?" and "How did you obtain your cigarettes?" There was a decrease between 2015 and 2019 in the percentage of smokers aged 13 to 17 who tried to buy cigarettes in the 30 days prior to the survey (72.3% vs. 66.4%; p-value ≤ 0.05). However, regardless of the survey year, approximately 9 out of 10 adolescent smokers were successful in an attempt to buy cigarettes. Of those, approximately 7 out of 10 used direct purchase as the main method of obtaining cigarettes, with purchases at licensed commercial establishments (vs. street vendors) increasing between 2015 and 2019 (81.1% vs. 89.6%; p-value ≤ 0.05). In 2019, 70% of teenagers who bought cigarettes at licensed commercial establishments purchased single cigarettes. Non-compliance with laws aimed at preventing smoking initiation is a huge obstacle to reducing the proportion of smokers. Increased implementation of legislative measures and oversight of cigarettes sales, combined with educational and awareness actions with retailers, is key to protecting new generations from the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Nas últimas décadas, o Brasil obteve importantes avanços no combate à epidemia de tabaco. No entanto, dados recentes nacionais apontam para uma provável estagnação na queda da iniciação ao tabagismo entre jovens e adolescentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a evolução no tempo do cumprimento da lei que proíbe a venda de cigarros para menores de idade no Brasil. Para tal, utilizaram-se os dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar das edições de 2015 e 2019. Foram estimadas proporções para indicadores "sequenciais" criados da combinação das respostas às perguntas "alguém se recusou a lhe vender cigarros?" e "como conseguiu seus próprios cigarros?". Houve uma queda, entre 2015 e 2019, na proporção de fumantes entre 13 e 17 anos que tentaram comprar cigarros nos 30 dias anteriores à pesquisa (72,3% vs. 66,4%; valor de p ≤ 0,05). Contudo, independentemente do ano da pesquisa, cerca de 9 em cada 10 adolescentes fumantes tiveram sucesso em alguma tentativa de compra de cigarros. Desses, aproximadamente 7 em cada 10 utilizaram a compra ativa como a principal modalidade de acesso ao cigarro, sendo que a respectiva compra em estabelecimentos comerciais autorizados (vs. com ambulantes) aumentou entre 2015 e 2019 (81,1% vs. 89,6%; valor de p ≤ 0,05). Em 2019, 70% dos adolescentes que compraram cigarros em estabelecimentos comerciais autorizados realizaram a compra avulsa. O descumprimento de leis voltadas à prevenção da iniciação ao fumo é um enorme obstáculo para a redução da proporção de fumantes. O fortalecimento das ações legislativas e de fiscalização, aliado a ações educativas e de sensibilização junto aos varejistas, é fundamental para proteger as novas gerações quanto aos efeitos nocivos do uso do tabaco.

En las últimas décadas, Brasil ha logrado importantes avances en el combate a la epidemia del tabaquismo. Pero, recientes datos nacionales apuntan a un probable estancamiento en la recucción de la iniciación tabáquia entre jóvenes y adolescentes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la evolución en el tiempo de cumplimiento de la ley que prohíbe la venta de cigarrillos a menores en Brasil. Para ello, se utilizaron datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud del Escolar de 2015 y 2019. Se estimaron proporciones para los indicadores "secuenciales" creados desde una combinación de las respuestas a las preguntas "alguien se negó a venderte cigarrillos" y "cómo conseguiste cigarrillos". Hubo una disminución entre 2015 y 2019 en la proporción de fumadores de entre 13 y 17 años que intentaron comprar cigarrillos en los treinta días antes de la encuesta (72,3% vs. 66,4%; valor de p ≤ 0,05). Sin embargo, independientemente del año de la encuesta, alrededor de 9 de cada 10 adolescentes fumadores tuvieron éxito en algún intento de comprar cigarrillos. De estos, aproximadamente 7 de cada 10 utilizaron la compra activa como el principal método de acceso a cigarrillos, y la respectiva compra en establecimientos comerciales autorizados (vs. con vendedores ambulantes) aumentó entre 2015 y 2019 (81,1% vs. 89,6%; valor de p ≤ 0,05). En 2019, el 70% de los adolescentes que compraron cigarrillos en establecimientos comerciales autorizados los compraron sueltos. El incumplimiento de la ley destinada a prevenir la iniciación al tabaquismo es un gran obstáculo para reducir la proporción de fumadores. El fortalecimiento de las acciones legislativas y de fiscalización, sumado a acciones educativas y de sensibilización con los comerciantes, es fundamental para proteger a las nuevas generaciones de los efectos nocivos del consumo de tabaco.

[Is information on social rights accessible to cancer patients?] / As informações sobre os direitos sociais estão acessíveis aos pacientes oncológicos?

Brazilian legislation provides for rights for cancer patients in order to assist with their treatment and mitigate the expenses they face during their illness. This study aimed to calculate the proportion of individuals undergoing cancer treatment at a Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) referral center who reported being aware of 15 specific legal rights, according to the population subgroup eligible to request each right. All adult cancer patients starting treatment at the Juiz de Fora Women's Association for Preventing and Fighting Cancer Hospital (ASCOMCER), Minas Gerais State, from March to July 2022, were interviewed (n = 62). About 60% of these patients had incomplete primary education or were illiterate, around 75% lived in households with a per capita income below one minimum wage, and 91.9% received treatment from the SUS. For nine of the 15 selected rights, the proportion of eligible patients was higher than 10%, ranging from 17.7% for "Withdrawal from the Severance Pay Fund (FGTS)" to 100% for "priority in the processing of procedures". However, the only one of these rights known to at least 50% of eligible patients was "sickness benefit" (70.6%). The respective proportions were below 5% in three rights, including "exemption from property tax", "exemption from income tax on retirement, pension, and retirement", and "priority in the processing of cases". Cancer patients need to have their comprehensive care strengthened. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance the availability of information regarding the benefits cancer patients may receive from a democratic state that respects the rule of law.

A legislação brasileira assegura aos pacientes com câncer direitos que auxiliam no tratamento e atenuam os gastos despendidos na jornada de adoecimento. O objetivo do estudo foi calcular a proporção de indivíduos em tratamento oncológico de um centro de referência do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) que referiram conhecer 15 direitos específicos previstos em lei, segundo o subgrupo populacional elegível para solicitar cada direito. Foram entrevistados todos os pacientes oncológicos adultos em início de tratamento no Hospital Associação Feminina de Prevenção e Combate ao Câncer de Juiz de Fora (ASCOMCER), Minas Gerais, entre março e julho de 2022 (n = 62). Cerca de 60% desses pacientes eram analfabetos ou não tinham completado o ensino fundamental, aproximadamente 75% viviam em domicílios em que a renda per capita era de no máximo um salário mínimo e 91,9% eram atendidos pelo SUS. Para nove dos 15 direitos selecionados, a proporção de pacientes elegíveis foi superior a 10%, variando de 17,7% para "saque do Fundo de Garantia por Tempo de Serviço (FGTS)" a 100% para "prioridade na tramitação de processos". No entanto, o único desses direitos conhecido por pelo menos 50% dos pacientes elegíveis foi o "auxílio-doença" (70,6%), sendo que para três direitos as respectivas proporções não chegaram a 5% (isenção de imposto sobre propriedade predial e territorial urbana, isenção do imposto de renda na aposentadoria, pensão e reforma e prioridade na tramitação de processos). Os pacientes oncológicos necessitam ter seus cuidados integrais fortalecidos. Dessa forma, é fundamental aumentar o acesso à informação sobre os benefícios que eles podem obter de um Estado democrático de direito.

La legislación brasileña garantiza a los pacientes con cáncer derechos que les ayudan en el tratamiento y mitigan los gastos que tienen a lo largo de la enfermedad. El objetivo de este estudio fue calcular la proporción de individuos sometidos al tratamiento oncológico en un centro de referencia del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) brasileño que informaron conocer 15 derechos específicos previstos por la ley, según el subgrupo de población elegible para solicitar cada derecho. Se entrevistó a todos los pacientes adultos con cáncer que comenzaron el tratamiento en el Hospital Asociación de Mujeres para la Prevención y Lucha contra el Cáncer de Juiz de Fora (ASCOMCER), Minas Gerais, entre marzo y julio de 2022 (n = 62). Cerca del 60% de estos pacientes eran analfabetos o no habían completado la escuela primaria, aproximadamente el 75% vivía en hogares con ingreso per cápita de un salario mínimo y el 91,9% eran tratados por el SUS. Para 9 de los 15 derechos seleccionados, la proporción de pacientes elegibles para ellos fue superior al 10%, oscilando del 17,7% para el "retirada del Fondo de Garantía por Duración del Servicio" al 100% para "prioridad en la tramitación de procedimientos". Sin embargo, de estos derechos el único conociodo por al menos el 50% de los pacientes elegibles conocía fue el "beneficio por enfermedad" (70,6%), y en 3 derechos las proporciones respectivas no alcanzaron ni siquiera el 5% ("exención del impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles y territorial urbano", "exención del impuesto sobre la renta por jubilación, pensión y retiro" y "prioridad en la tramitación de procedimientos"). Los pacientes con cáncer requieren el fortalecimiento de una atención integral. Por lo tanto, es esencial incrementar el acceso a la información sobre los beneficios que los pacientes con cáncer pueden obtener de un Estado de derecho democrático.

What does Google Trends reveal about the proportion of waterpipe users in the Brazilian population?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between internet search volume and the prevalence of waterpipe use among young Brazilians in 2019. METHODS: This was a descriptive study with data from Brazil in 2019, using the relative search volume on waterpipes extracted from Google Trends and the proportion of waterpipe users aged between 15 and 24 years, as measured by the National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS), and aged between 13 and 17 years, as measured by the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar - PeNSE). The relationship was assessed by means of Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: The point prevalence of waterpipe use across the Brazilian Federative Units (FUs) showed a moderate (r = 0.51; PNS) to strong correlation (r = 0.74 and r = 0.80; PeNSE) with the relative search volume (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Google Trends can support the monitoring system on waterpipe use in the FUs, providing additional information to existing population-based surveys. MAIN RESULTS: The search volume for waterpipes by states in Brazil, as measured by Google Trends, showed a moderate to high correlation with the respective proportions of current use and experimentation of waterpipe among the adolescent/young adult population. IMPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES: The use of Google Trends as a support to the monitoring system for waterpipe consumption in Brazil warrants further exploration in terms of the validity of additional information to existing population surveys. PERSPECTIVES: Expanding the use of Google Trends searches to assess its potential in monitoring other health risk products and detecting (or predicting) incidence or seasonality of health-related events.

A pragmatic trial in the Rio de Janeiro subway to capture smokers for a quitline: methodological challenges and opportunities.

According to the World Health Organization, smoking is an important cause of death worldwide. To encourage smoking cessation, persuasive messages can be used to raise smokers' risk perception. This article discusses challenges and solutions in designing a study to evaluate the effect of two different communication strategies ("gains from quitting" vs. "losses from continuing smoking") in encouraging calls to a quitline. The authors conducted an intervention study in two subway stations for 4 weeks, considering only 1 strategy per station. Large posters containing non-age-specific images and texts, on the basis of the theme"shortness of breath," were displayed on central dividing columns on the boarding platforms. Call rates from the selected stations, and respective rate ratios, overall and per study week, were calculated. Passengers who were smokers, exposed to the positive-content message, called on average 1.7 times more often than did those exposed to the negative-content message (p = .01). Moreover, call rate ratios did not decline over the 4 weeks of the study (p = .40). The effectiveness findings suggest that antismoking campaigns could use positive-content messages in order to recruit a larger smoker population. The proposed methodology can also be used to evaluate effectiveness of messages for "capturing" individuals with other health problems (e.g., alcohol abuse), thereby increasing its potential impact.

"Tobacco denormalization at home": the contribution of the smoking ban in enclosed workplaces in Brazil.

Estimates suggest that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is related to 1.2 million deaths per year worldwide. Synergy between various anti-smoking legislative and educational measures is essential to stimulate cessation and prevent initiation. This article aimed to explore how legislative protection from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in enclosed workplaces in Brazil, whose strengthening occurred in a phased manner between 1996 and 2014, possibly contributed to the protection from passive smoking at home. We evaluated, via generalized linear models, the absolute and relative differences in the proportion of individuals living in smoke-free homes between those exposed and not exposed to passive smoking in enclosed workplaces, both crude and adjusted by sociodemographic and smoking behavior variables, and stratified by non-smokers and smokers. Data from three national surveys conducted in 2008, 2013, and 2019 were used. Regardless of smoking status and year when the data were analyzed, individuals who were employed in smoke-free workplaces were more likely to live in smoke-free homes than smokers who were employed in workplaces that allowed smoking. Adjusted absolute difference increased from +5.5% in 2008 to +10.5% in 2013 among non-smokers, and from +7.1% in 2013 to 15.6% in 2019 among smokers (p-values for additive interaction ≤ 0.05). Strengthening the Brazilian smoke-free legislation was likely associated with a reduction in passive smoking at home, which, therefore, may also reduce the burden of mortality, morbidity, and costs for society related to smoking.

Indicators related to smoking cessation in Brazil, National Health Survey, 2013 and 2019 editions. / Indicadores referentes à cessação do comportamento de fumar no Brasil, Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, edições 2013 e 2019.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the indicators of smoking cessation in 2013 and 2019 for Brazil and federative units, according to sociodemographic variables, collected in the National Health Survey (PNS). METHODS: Cross-sectional, population-based and descriptive study with data from the 2013 and 2019 PNS, a household survey collected by trained interviewers. The prevalence of ex-smokers and the proportion of smokers who tried to quit smoking in the 12 months prior to the interview, and respective confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated, according to sociodemographic variables. Additionally, the percentage variation between the years was calculated. RESULTS: In 2013, the prevalence of ex-smokers was 17.5% (95%CI 16.9;18.0) and, in 2019, 26.6% (95%CI 26.1;27.2). In 2013, 51.1% tried to quit smoking (95%CI 49.3;52.9) and, in 2019, 46.6% (95%CI 45.0;48.3). CONCLUSION: It is important to strengthen and maintain strategies for coping with tobacco use in Brazil, to increase the current smoker's willingness and ability to quit smoking.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Varenicline Versus Currently Funded Smoking Cessation Strategies in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the cost-effectiveness of varenicline in comparison to currently funded smoking cessation strategies in Brazil. METHODS: We modeled the lifetime direct costs and health-related quality of life of a hypothetical cohort of smokers with a single attempt to quit smoking using one of the following: (1) cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) without any pharmacological intervention, (2) varenicline, (3) bupropion, (4) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with transdermal patch, (5) bupropion in combination with NRT transdermal patch, and (6) combined NRT (oral plus transdermal). All drug alternatives were considered with concomitant CBT. The analysis relied on a Markov model based on the Benefits of Smoking Cessation and Outcomes study and used different age and sex categories in the consideration of relative risks and incidence rates of the diseases included in the model. The analysis was conducted from the healthcare system perspective, and a 3% discounting rate for costs and outcomes was applied. Model parameter values were sourced from published literature. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses assessed robustness. RESULTS: Among the smoking cessation alternatives available in Brazil, varenicline and combined NRT were estimated to have higher effectiveness; varenicline, however, was dominated due to its higher average cost. In the base-case analysis, combined NRT had an incremental gain of 0.25 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) in comparison to the second-best option (bupropion in combination with NRT transdermal patch) and an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of R$2173.47/QALY ($595.45/QALY). CONCLUSIONS: Combination of oral and transdermal NRT (coupled with CBT) was the most effective smoking cessation option and was 100% cost-effective within a conservative willingness-to-pay threshold.