Central government bans ENDS including e-cigarettes in India

The sale of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is banned with immediate effect by the central government on Wednesday afternoon.

E-cigarettes made their debut in India about a decade ago and rapidly gained popularity among the youth.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made the announcement at a press conference after the cabinet meeting and said production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertising related to e-cigarettes will now be punishable.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had also recommended a complete prohibition on ENDS and e-cigarettes in larger interest of protecting public health.

E-hookahs will also be banned, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said, adding that there is no health benefit from e-cigarettes.

ENDS or E-cigarettes are-

E-Cigarettes are the most commonly-used tobacco products among youth, and use is rising at an alarming rate. Youth who use e-cigarettes are more likely to use cigarettes or other tobacco products.

E-Cigarettes contain a liquid solution that is usually flavored. Flavors, which are appealing to children, can include fruit flavors, candy, coffee, piña colada, peppermint, bubble gum, or chocolate.

E-Cigarette solution has chemicals (ie, anti-freeze, diethylene glycol, and carcinogens like nitrosamines).

E-Cigarette devices mimic conventional cigarette use and help re-normalize smoking behaviors.

E-Cigarettes are not approved for smoking cessation, and the long-term health effects to users and bystanders are still unknown. The chemical compounds in an e-cigarette device can vary between brands.

E-liquid from e-cigarettes and refill packs can contaminate skin, leading to nicotine poisoning. Symptoms of nicotine poisoning include vomiting, sweating, dizziness, increased heart rate, lethargy, seizures, and difficulty breathing.

E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that produce aerosol by heating a solution containing nicotine. It is the addictive substance in combustible cigarettes.

ENDS produce carcinogens such as formaldehyde. Although these are fewer in number compared to regular cigarettes. They also increase the odds of lung disease and myocardial infarction, but to a lesser extent than normal cigarettes do.

Tobacco companies introduced the product to make up for the losses they suffered by the state trying to reduce tobacco use and also as an alternative means to hold on to customers who would otherwise have quit.

Research shows that many youngsters took up conventional smoking after being introduced to e-cigarettes.

The tobacco companies went to town promoting e-cigarettes as a ‘less risky’ smoking option, however their real motive was to introduce it to people who would otherwise quit smoking altogether.