Ban on e-cigarettes

The government has proposed to ban e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The ban was also advocated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which called for a “complete prohibition on ENDS and e-cigarettes in India in the greater interest of protecting public health, in accordance with the precautionary principle preventing public harm from a noxious agent.”

Flawed Approach

Introduced over a decade ago, ENDS are gaining popularity, especially among youth. This misconception is also due to the misconception that these cigarettes are free of nicotine.

Even though most of the ENDS product displays the warning they are not a ‘smoking cessation product they are promoted as cessation agents.  that  The marketing strategy of the companies is to promote ENDS as an alternative to quitting.

Myths related to ENDS

• Industry claims that the ENDS products provide a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes. But the reality is that ENDS users are almost at the same risk of contracting lung diseases and cancer as conventional cigarette users. Further ‘dual users’ of ENDS and conventional cigarette are at greater risk of heart attacks.
• Industry claims that the sale of ENDS products does not violate any regulations despite the fact that the companies are in clear violation of WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which prohibits the sale of any product that appeals to minors. Since the marketing of ENDS products, targeted at youth, also impacts minors and schoolchildren.
• The assertion of the industry that e-cigarettes are safe is contradicted by the many fires and explosions caused by devices, resulting in injuries, loss of lives and property. Further, their accidental ingestion by children has also caused some deaths.

The Central government has shown great foresight in proposing a ban on ENDS. This ban is likely to avoid causing another epidemic of nicotine addiction in the country.