Health ministry asks states to act on e-cigarettes

With e-cigarette gaining popularity among youth, the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday asked states to ensure that such electronic cigarettes are not manufactured and sold under their jurisdiction.

In an advisory, state governments have been told to ensure that any electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) including e-cigarettes, Heat-Not-Burn devices, Vape, e-Sheesha, e-nicotine flavoured hookah and similar devices that enable nicotine delivery are not sold (including online sale), manufactured, distributed, traded, imported and advertised in their territory.

ENDS are devices that heat a solution to create an aerosol, which frequently contains flavours.

Electronic cigarettes, the most common prototype, are devices that do not burn or use tobacco leaves but instead vaporise a solution, which the user inhales.

The solution contains several toxic chemicals that can lead to serious health complications.

They are also not approved as aid for nicotine replacement therapy under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Nearly 30 countries have banned such electronic cigarettes because of their health consequences.

Seven Indian states including Karnataka have also banned manufacture, distribution, import and sale of these e-cigarettes in the last five years.