India is in favour of taking proactive measures against tobacco use including complete ban on e-cigarettes.
New Delhi, Oct 30/Nationalturk – In view of research terming use of e-cigarettes as “unsafe”, India is in favour of proactive measures against tobacco use including complete ban on e-cigarettes.
“India is in favour of a complete ban on e-cigarettes and all products described as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS),” said Indian Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.
He ruled out acceptability of e-cigarettes in the light of research findings by experts which have held that they are no less unsafe than the “real thing”.
Vardhan made this remarks while addressing global tobacco control experts at the 45th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Barcelona, Spain, the other day. The Union is a 94-year-old forum dealing with lung diseases, TB and tobacco issues.
‘e-cigarettes push children towards tobacco habit’
The Indian Health minister said e-cigarettes and similar products push children towards the tobacco habit eventually via nicotine dependence.
“In our national consultation it has been shown that children and other non-smokers tend to develop nicotine addiction at a rate greater than situations where ENDS did not exist. And after that the slide to tobacco is practically inevitable,” Indian Health minister said.
Pointing out that banning ENDS should not be an end in itself, he said, “The success of a ban strategy will depend on how we agree to control illicit trade and cross border sales of such products. The use of the Internet for this trade should also be curbed.”
‘Use of smokeless tobacco has become major issue’
“The use of smokeless tobacco has become a major public health menace, which, if not checked in time with strong measures, could become a national threat. The aggressive marketing strategies marked by attractive packaging, flavouring and price-cuts represent a major challenge for the government,” Vardhan said adding India is committed to take proactive measures to counter the challenges.
India is home to 275 million tobacco users.
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