Municipal Guard Trains Agents on Vape Use

The Municipal Civil Guard of Ponta Grossa promoted, at the Eunice Miró Guimarães Cordeiro Municipal Amphitheatre, in Uvaranas, a training focused on situations involving the use of electronic devices for smoking, popularly known as vapes. The training brought together agents of the Guard itself, professionals of the Municipal Health Foundation, PROCON, the Municipal Secretariat of Education, representatives of private schools and members of the Civil Police. The objective was to provide guidance on the legal procedures and the risks associated with these devices, which have become popular especially among young people.

According to the inspector-in-command of the Municipal Civil Guard, Alessandro de Macedo, the training strengthens the technical preparation of the teams, improving the performance of the Municipal Guard. The initiative reflects a growing concern with the supervision and prevention of the use of these devices, whose commercialization and advertising are prohibited in Brazil by the National Agency of Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa), but which still circulate irregularly in the market.

Multi-sector approach to the vape

The presence of different organs in the event demonstrates the complexity of the theme. The Municipal Guard acts in the supervision of public spaces and in the attendance of occurrences involving minors, while the Municipal Health Foundation contributes with the clinical and epidemiological look. PROCON, in turn, can act in the repression of illegal trade, and the Secretariat of Education has a fundamental role in the prevention within schools.

The Civil Police participates in the criminal investigation, since the sale of prohibited products constitutes a sanitary infraction and can generate criminal liability.

This integration between the sectors was highlighted as essential for an effective response. The exchange of experiences between security agents and health and education professionals allows a broader understanding of the problem, which involves from public health to safety and urban order. The training sought to align the procedures of approach, guidance and referral of cases, avoiding isolated and uncoordinated actions.

Health risks in focus

Complementing the training, the resident nurses in Collective Health of the School of Public Health of Ponta Grossa, Maria Clara Ferreira Silva and Ashily Narriman Gonçalves da Silva Shimanski, gave a lecture on the impacts and health risks arising from the use of electronic devices to smoke. The presentation addressed from the chemical components present in the liquids used in vapes to the consequences for the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Although often presented as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes, vapes contain substances such as nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin and flavorings, which when heated can generate toxic and carcinogenic compounds. The nurses emphasized that the use of these devices is associated with lung inflammation, chronic cough, shortness of breath and even more serious injuries, such as EVALI (lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette products), internationally recognized.

In addition to physical damage, nicotine dependence is a worrying factor, especially among adolescents, whose brain is still developing. The lecture highlighted the importance of educational and awareness actions to demystify the false idea that vapes are harmless or just a passing fad.

Training as a prevention tool

For inspector Alessandro de Macedo, the training strengthens the technical preparation of the teams, improving the performance of the Municipal Guard. He emphasized that agents need to be able to identify situations of use, guide citizens on illegality and risks, and refer cases according to established protocols. The training also aims to standardize the conducts, guaranteeing legal security for the agents and respect for the rights of those involved.

The event also served to update the participants on the current legislation. In Brazil, Resolution of the Board of Directors (RDC) No. 46/2009 of Anvisa prohibits the commercialization, importation and advertising of any electronic devices for smoking. Despite this, smuggling and illegal sale continue, often via the internet or in unauthorized establishments. The training sought to guide the agents on how to identify these products and how to proceed in the face of flagrantes.

Impact on the school community

The participation of representatives of private schools and the Municipal Secretariat of Education highlights the concern with the use of vapes among students. Reports of seizures in schools have become frequent across the country, and Ponta Grossa is not immune to this reality. The training provided grants so that educators and managers can approach the subject with students, identify signs of use and act on the competent bodies when necessary.

Resident nurses also addressed prevention strategies in the school environment, such as conversation wheels, educational campaigns and the involvement of families. The idea is that the information arrives in a clear and accessible way, without stigmatizing young people, but warning of the real dangers. The partnership between health and education is seen as fundamental to reduce the experimentation and continuous use of these devices.

Next steps and continuity

The training carried out in Uvaranas represents an important step, but not isolated. The expectation is that new editions will be promoted, expanding the reach to other audiences, such as parents, traders and the community in general. The Municipal Guard intends to integrate the theme into its patrol routines and the educational actions already developed, such as the Guarda Mirim program and visits to schools.

The involvement of the different sectors present at the event suggests that the city is attentive to the problem and willing to face it in a coordinated way. The exchange of knowledge and the definition of clear flows of action are essential for prevention and monitoring measures to be effective. The population can also contribute by reporting illegal outlets and talking to young people about the risks.

For more information on the actions of the Municipal Guard and public health issues in Ponta Grossa, continue to follow the Boca no Trombone Portal.

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