BS RAWAT
NEW DELHI : The smooth passage of a bill in the Indian Parliament on December 9, slapping a total ban on E-cigarettes, consumption of which was threatening to assume epidemic proportions, will prevent millions of Indian youth from getting initiated and addicted to nicotine delivery products, leading consumer bodies and civil society organisations have said.

The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Bill, 2019, was validated into law with members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha cutting across party lines supporting it overwhelmingly.

The Central government had issued an ordinance to ban E-cigarettes on September 18, 2019. The Bill defines E-cigarettes as electronic devices that heat a substance, which may contain nicotine and other chemicals, to create vapour for inhalation.

“The passage of the bill in parliament is a welcome move that will help protect Indians, especially the youth and children, from the risk of nicotine addiction through E-cigarettes and similar devices,” said Shri Ashim Sanyal, Chief Operating Officer, Consumer VOICE, a Delhi-based voluntary organisation that works under “Jago Grahak Jago” programme of Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

“It will go a long way in preventing millions of lives from getting sucked into nicotine addiction. E-cigarettes pose significant health risks to users that are frighteningly similar to those of conventional cigarettes. It is a laudable step by our parliamentarians. It also reflects the government’s focus on public health as an area of utmost priority,” he added.

Under the law, any person who contravenes this provision will be punishable with imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of up to Rs one lakh, or both. For any subsequent offence, the person will be punishable with an imprisonment of up to three years, along with a fine of up to Rs five lakh.

“Nicotine is a highly toxic chemical and potentially carcinogenic. In fact, it will not be an exaggeration if it is considered a poison. Therefore, any nicotine product should be taken under strict medical supervision for controlling withdrawal symptoms during cessation therapy,” Mr. Sanyal said.