Recently, Gonzalo Vecina Neto, the former president of Brazil's National Health Supervision Agency (Anvisa), said in an interview that although e-cigarette products are "harmful to health," he believes that they should be monitored. It is far better than the current illegal trading situation. He also said that this decision is expected to take some time.
Wechner served as Anvisa's first president from 1999 to 2003. In 2009, the agency banned e-cigarettes. In 2022, the ban was upheld, but the topic remains under discussion at the agency.
Anvisa's current president, Antonio Barra Torres, said he intends to launch a public consultation on the topic.
Wechner said he himself opposes the use of e-cigarettes, but believes it is better to control consumption than the current illegal trade in the country.