India joins global fight against vaping health risks

The alarming surge in vaping and e-cigarette usage, particularly among adolescents and school-going children, is a cause for concern. Surprisingly, there is a striking lack of awareness among users about the ban on vaping in India and the associated harmful health consequences. According to a recent survey conducted in July 2023 by Think Change Forum, a staggering 96% of students aged 14-17 in India are unaware of the ban on vapes and similar electronic devices, while 89% remain oblivious to their detrimental effects.

Increasing awareness about the harmful effects of vaping is undoubtedly crucial, but equally urgent is the need for stricter enforcement of the ban. The Indian government has been making efforts in this direction, and recent developments indicate progress. Last month, in July, the media reported that the government issued takedown notices to 15 websites promoting e-cigarettes, and as a result, four of these websites have already ceased operations. Furthermore, the Health Ministry is actively monitoring the advertisement and sale of e-cigarettes on social media platforms, with plans for additional actions.

In a further step to combat the sale of e-cigarettes, the central government has launched an initiative urging state governments to report on the availability of these products on both online shopping sites and retail shops. To streamline this process, the government has set up a portal – www.violation-reporting.in where states can submit relevant information. This initiative empowers the Union Health Ministry to collate and analyze data swiftly, enabling prompt action against reported violations.

Governments in various countries are now recognizing the alarming trend of a growing number of adolescents and young adults succumbing to vaping. In a decisive move to safeguard public health, Australia had taken a major step by banning vaping in May 2023.

The government’s action was prompted by the rising usage of e-cigarettes among teenagers. Australia now joins a list of 47 countries, including India, Singapore, Thailand, Argentina, Japan and Brazil, that have previously prohibited e-cigarettes.
Globally, a mounting body of research work underscores the perils of vaping or e-cigarettes. Survey data released in June 2023 by Quit and Cancer Council, Victoria, reveals alarming trends of increased vaping and smoking among young Australians, posing significant risks to their health and well-being. Longitudinal studies indicate that young individuals who use e-cigarettes are approximately three times more likely to start smoking compared to their non-vaping counterparts. Health experts in the UK are alarmed by a vaping ‘epidemic’ among young individuals, warning that almost all children could be vaping within the next five years if the current growth rate continues. A 2023 survey by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) revealed that 2 out of 5 young individuals tried vaping out of curiosity, while 1 in 5 succumbed to peer pressure. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took action in May 2023 to clamp down on vaping, emphasizing that marketing and illegal sales of vapes to children were unacceptable.

In the US, a 2022 national survey by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that around 2.55 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes, with one in four using them daily. In 2019, an e-cigarette epidemic led to EVALI outbreak, hospitalizing thousands, primarily teenagers, and causing long-lasting lung damage. In May 2023, the FDA took action against 10 companies, prohibiting them from marketing or distributing 6,500 flavoured e-liquid and e-cigarette products. These products included enticing flavours like Citrus, Strawberry Cheesecake, Cool Mint and Menthol.

In a study conducted by the American Heart Association in July 2023, the ingredients found in e-cigarettes, including nicotine, flavouring agents, sweeteners, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerol, were found to pose individual health risks. The study refuted claims made by e-cigarette companies regarding their effectiveness in helping quit smoking traditional cigarettes. Additionally, Canadian scientists from McGill University in Montreal made a significant discovery in January of this year, revealing that vaping causes lung disease even with low exposure to e-cigarettes.

Due to the relatively new nature of e-cigarettes there is a lack of long-term health data. However, the accumulating evidence strongly indicates their harmful effects on the body, underscoring the need for measures to control vaping and restrict access, especially among children and adults. Governments worldwide are taking action to crackdown on vaping due to its detrimental impact. Stakeholders also need to spread awareness about the adverse health effects of vaping on the human body to reduce its usage.

Rajesh Mehta is a leading consultant & columnist working on Market Entry, Innovation & Public Policy.