Brazil: Serra Alta Tightens Grip on Vaping in Public Spaces
The City Council of Serra Alta, Brazil, has approved a new bill to ban the use of e-cigarettes and hookahs in all public spaces. The legislation, which now awaits the mayor’s signature, specifically targets youth usage by mandating that minors caught with devices be referred to the Guardianship Council.
The municipality of Serra Alta is taking a hard line against public vaping. In its latest session, the City Council approved Legislative Ordinary Bill No. 001/2026. This new legislation amends the existing 2019 municipal law (No. 1.122), effectively expanding the scope of prohibited substances and devices in public areas.
Previously, local laws focused primarily on hookahs. The updated text, however, explicitly broadens the ban to include “pods, vapes, and other electronic smoking devices (DEFs).” Under the new rules, consuming these products will be strictly forbidden in all public spaces across the municipality. This includes streets, leisure squares, parks, gardens, schools, and sports facilities.
A major component of this bill is the protection of minors. If a minor is caught carrying or using any of these devices in a public area, the case must be immediately referred to the Guardianship Council (Conselho Tutelar). The legislation goes a step further regarding repeat offenses: parents or guardians could face legal liability for negligence if their children are repeatedly found in violation of the ban.
The bill’s authors justify these strict measures as necessary for public health, citing the need to shield children and adolescents from the risks associated with these devices. The proposal aligns with federal regulations; in Brazil, the commercialization, importation, and advertising of e-cigarettes remain prohibited by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) under Resolution RDC No. 855/2024.
Having passed the legislative hurdle, the bill now moves to the executive branch. It is up to the mayor to either sanction the bill into law or veto it. If signed, the new restrictions will take effect immediately upon publication.
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