Quão seguros estamos? Política Informada por Evidência como estratégia para prevenção de riscos associados ao uso de cigarros eletrônicos no Brasil

Abstract

Brazil has a consolidated, high value public health policy to combat smoking and is recognized worldwide as a reference in this field. This policy aims to reduce the prevalence of smokers and the morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco through educational actions, control of marketing and commercialization of tobacco products, restrictions on consumption in public and workplace environments, as well as awareness and counseling in Primary Health Care (PHC). The program is decentralized and integrated into the Unified Health System (SUS), with a broad treatment network that includes the use of medications and follow-up of users for cessation. It is a constitutional commitment to deliver public health services through the implementation of high-impact policies that produce results and quality services. Thus, monitoring health risks in the population is essential for the State’s safety, surveillance, and governance. To this end, ensuring the formulation and implementation of health actions requires the availability of official, structured, updated information and data supported by scientific evidence. A significant bottleneck in data availability for smoking prevention and cessation concerns the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) by young people, which continues to grow despite these products being prohibited in the country. On the other hand, the adoption of best practices and health protocols is used as a strategy to reduce the risk of adverse events and lessen the need for treatment and rehabilitation. Aiming to help address this gap, this thesis develops a framework that integrates identification, assessment, mitigation, continuous monitoring and effective communication of e-cig data, seeking to ensure the safety of people who use these devices and to deliver quality care when needed. Based on the research findings, a managerial action plan is presented to prevent risks associated with the use of e-cigs, promoting the strengthening of evidence-informed policy. The thesis is composed of three products: Article 1, which highlights the limitation of Brazilian data for monitoring and assessing health risks associated with e-cig use; Article 2, which explores psychological and social factors that explain the likelihood of Brazilian students experimenting with cigarettes; and a Technical-Managerial Plan with the design of actions to strengthen evidence-informed policy aimed at preventing public health risks.