Brazil Nicotine Replacement Therapy Market Overview,2030

The nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) market in Brazil has developed within the context of the country’s strong tobacco control policies, relatively high smoking prevalence, and government-backed cessation initiatives. In the 1980s, nearly 35% of Brazilian adults smoked, making the country one of the largest tobacco-consuming nations. Over the past four decades, Brazil has achieved one of the steepest declines in smoking globally, with prevalence falling to around 9.1% by 2023, largely due to aggressive public health measures, high tobacco taxes, and anti-smoking campaigns. NRT was introduced in the early 1990s, initially through gums and patches marketed by multinational players such as GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson. The integration of NRT into Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) in the early 2000s was a major milestone, as the government began providing patches and gums free of charge through public health centers as part of its Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabagismo. This policy greatly expanded access, particularly for low-income populations who otherwise could not afford private purchase. As of 2024, the Brazilian NRT market is estimated at approx. USD 100–130 million, with patches dominating due to government procurement and distribution. Lozenges and gums also maintain steady consumer-driven demand in retail channels. While overall consumption has been stable, market growth is constrained by declining smoking prevalence, limited awareness outside urban centers, and competition from illicit tobacco and alternative cessation aids. Nonetheless, NRT continues to play a critical role in Brazil’s tobacco control efforts, both as a public health tool and as a consumer healthcare product.

According to the research report ""Brazil Nicotine Replacement Therapy Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Brazil Nicotine Replacement Therapy market is anticipated to grow at 15.88% CAGR from 2025 to 2030.Brazil presents both opportunities and challenges for the NRT market, shaped by strict regulation and state-led tobacco control programs. The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) regulates NRT as a pharmaceutical product, ensuring quality, labeling, and safety standards. Importantly, NRT is included in the Ministry of Health’s cessation program under SUS, which distributes it free through public clinics, creating a strong baseline for demand. However, opportunities lie in expanding private-sector penetration, particularly among middle-class urban populations who prefer convenience-oriented products like lozenges and sprays. Current trends show increasing consumer interest in discreet and fast-acting NRT options, moving beyond patches that dominate public health distribution. Digital health platforms and telemedicine services, which have expanded rapidly post-pandemic, also create opportunities to integrate NRT with virtual cessation counseling. Strategic recommendations include diversifying product portfolios to introduce innovative delivery methods, strengthening marketing to younger smokers, and leveraging partnerships with healthcare professionals to increase consumer trust. A key challenge is Brazil’s ban on e-cigarettes since 2009, which has created a large black market, particularly among youth, diverting potential users from NRT. Regulatory barriers also limit the pace of product innovation, as ANVISA maintains strict oversight of nicotine-related products. Nonetheless, Brazil’s strong government-backed infrastructure provides a unique opportunity by integrating more NRT formats into public distribution, supported by awareness campaigns, the market can grow even as smoking prevalence declines. Innovations in digital health integration and localized awareness campaigns could strengthen NRT’s role as the most accessible and effective cessation option in Brazil.

Brazil’s nicotine alternatives market is dominated by NRT, with e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn (HnB) tobacco products largely absent due to regulatory bans. NRT includes patches, gums, lozenges, and limited use of sprays, with patches representing the largest share thanks to free distribution through SUS clinics. Gums and lozenges are also available in pharmacies and retail outlets, serving consumers who prefer self-directed cessation without entering government programs. E-cigarettes, both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free, have been banned since 2009 under ANVISA regulations, which prohibit their sale, import, and advertising. Despite this, a growing black market exists, with young adults in urban centers increasingly accessing vaping products through online and informal channels. This undermines the formal NRT market, as many smokers particularly younger ones view e-cigarettes as more appealing than patches or gums. Heat-not-burn products such as IQOS and glo are also banned, preventing their legal entry into Brazil’s market. As a result, NRT remains the only widely accessible and regulated nicotine aid, giving it a unique competitive advantage within the legal framework. Strategic opportunities for NRT lie in innovating with more modern product forms, such as oral strips or sprays, that can compete with the convenience of vaping devices. The restricted market for alternatives places NRT in a strong regulatory position, but long-term growth depends on improving consumer perception and increasing product variety to appeal to a broader demographic of smokers.

The sales structure of NRT in Brazil is balanced between government-supported prescription-based distribution and private over-the-counter (OTC) purchases. Prescription-based sales dominate in terms of volume, as patches and gums are distributed free of charge through public health centers under SUS programs, requiring medical assessment and enrollment in cessation support. This model ensures equitable access and has been instrumental in reducing smoking rates nationwide, particularly among low-income and rural populations. OTC sales, however, represent the primary revenue driver in the private market, with pharmacies and retail stores offering gums, lozenges, and patches to consumers who prefer convenience and discretion. OTC channels appeal strongly to urban, middle-class consumers who may not engage with government cessation clinics. As of 2024, OTC sales account for about approx.60–65% of market value, while prescription-based channels dominate volumes through government procurement. Strategic opportunities exist to expand OTC penetration by introducing innovative formats, offering competitive pricing, and increasing consumer awareness campaigns. Additionally, private insurers and corporate wellness programs could be leveraged to encourage prescription-based adoption beyond the public sector. Challenges include limited consumer knowledge of NRT’s effectiveness, reliance on government procurement cycles, and rising competition from illicit vaping products. To maximize growth, companies must balance their strategies between strengthening OTC distribution, where consumer spending drives revenue, and maintaining strong partnerships with the public health sector, where prescription-based programs drive widespread adoption and social impact.

Distribution of NRT in Brazil is primarily offline, reflecting the dominance of retail pharmacies, supermarkets, and government clinics as primary access points. Pharmacies remain the backbone of the private market, offering OTC gums, lozenges, and patches, often supported by in-store pharmacist counseling. Supermarkets and large retail chains further enhance accessibility, embedding NRT into mainstream consumer health products. Government health clinics play a central role in prescription-based distribution, as they provide free patches and gums under cessation programs, particularly for low-income groups. These offline channels account for more than 85% of total NRT sales, supported by Brazil’s extensive healthcare infrastructure and retail network. Online distribution, while growing, remains underdeveloped compared to developed markets. E-commerce platforms such as Drogasil, Droga Raia, and international retailers are beginning to expand NRT sales online, but growth is constrained by regulatory barriers, limited consumer trust in online purchases of pharmaceuticals, and the widespread availability of free NRT through public health clinics. Nevertheless, online channels are gaining traction among younger, urban populations who prefer discreet purchases and home delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, boosting telemedicine services that now often integrate NRT recommendations with e-pharmacy delivery. Strategic opportunities lie in expanding online pharmacy platforms, bundling NRT with digital cessation tools, and targeting younger demographics who are more comfortable with e-commerce. Over the next decade, online distribution is expected to capture a larger share of Brazil’s NRT market, but offline channels will continue to dominate due to government-led programs and the strength of traditional retail networks

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• E-cigarettes
• Heat-not-burn tobacco products
By Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• Nicotine Gums
• Nicotine Lozenges
• Nicotine Nasal Sprays
• Nicotine Pouches
• Others (Nicotine Patches, Nicotine Inhalers & Others)
By Sales Type
• Over-the-Counter (OTC)
• Prescription-Based

By Distribution Channel
• Offline
• Online
Show more