More than 2.5 million Brazilians sought treatment to stop smoking
More than 2.5 million Brazilians sought SUS (Unified Health System) treatments to stop smoking in 2025, which represented a 95% increase compared to 2022, which registered 1.2 million. The growth is due to the creation of new anti-smoking programs in the public network in primary care, especially in UBS (Basic Health Units).
Collective activities aimed at tobacco users, which include conversation circles, educational actions and meetings led by health professionals, increased from 61,900 to 157,100, according to data from the Ministry of Health. The number of participants also increased significantly: from 1 million to 2.1 million.
"The data shows that more Brazilians are looking for help and that the SUS is prepared to accommodate this demand, with trained teams, continuous monitoring and free medicines", says the Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha. "Our commitment is to ensure that anyone who wants to quit smoking finds support close to home."
For the department leader, the numbers are directly related to the reinforcement of Primary Health Care through the creation of new specialized teams. Family Health, eMulti (Multiprofessional Teams) and Sesb (Oral Health Specialty Service) teams increased by 21,800, which expanded service capacity in many territories. Currently, the total number of primary care teams exceeds 104.3 thousand.
Despite demand, the number of smokers remains high
Advances in smoking treatment still face barriers in Brazil, especially the introduction of DEF (Electronic Smoking Devices) and other products with synthetic nicotine, especially among young people.
According to Vigitel (Surveillance of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey), the percentage of use among young people aged 18 to 24 reached 10.1% in 2024, the highest rate in the historical series for this age group. Among adults, the frequency of adults who smoke or use electronic devices increased from 11.3% in 2019 to 13.1% in the same year.
Smoking Cessation Groups are a free alternative offered by the SUS
For those who want to stop smoking, the reference UBS in each territory offer a program that has multi-professional support, which can include individual and group care. The system's methodologies are standardized and based on a cognitive-behavioral approach.
The support group is made up of nurses, pharmacists and doctors, who hold sessions with the aim of informing and assisting the patient in gradually reducing smoking until the end of complete dependence. When necessary, a pharmacological approach is also used, such as nicotine replacement therapy through transdermal patches and orally administered medications.
Medicines and other resources such as nicotine and bupropion patches, gum or lozenges are offered free of charge. Intensive treatment lasts around 3 months, followed by follow-up for one year. The initiative is part of the National Tobacco Control Program, which is recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization) as one of the best in the world.
Smoking kills almost 8 million people a year worldwide and is a risk factor for Covid-19 and cancer
Source: CNN