Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched “Commit to Quit” – a campaign aimed to help tens of millions of tobacco users to quit. The campaign “will support at least 100 million people as they try to give up tobacco through communities of quitters”, the WHO says. The agency asserted that the campaign has heightened […]
e-cigarettes
Doctors’ concerns over e-cigarette ban
A fixture of the public health crisis since the announcement of the Government of India’s e-cigarette ban has been the expression of doctors’ concerns – and a number have been expressed since the ban was announced. Doctors’ concerns have been collated in a NewsVoir piece circulated by multiple outlets. “There is data available regarding e-cigarettes […]
Rajya Sabha MPs approve e-cigarette ban
The Government of India’s ban on e-cigarettes has won the approval of Rajya Sabha MPs, who passed legislation prohibiting the devices earlier this week amidst appeals over their negative effects on public health. The upper house of the Indian Parliament passed the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and […]
A cigarette ban: Could it happen in India? NGOs are working to make it a reality.
Two non-government organisations (NGOs) are in the process of moving an appeal before the Supreme Court for India to enact a cigarette ban, in the wake of the Government’s prohibition of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Vaping became illegal in India in September with the promulgation of an ordinance by the Union Government, which has […]
MPs give nod to vaping ban
Parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha gave their nod to the Centre’s decision to ban e-cigarettes, even as some lawmakers expressed concerns about continued tobacco use in the country. The Government of India issued an ordinance earlier this year prohibiting electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) from being produced, manufactured, distributed, imported, exported, stored, sold, and advertised […]
Scientists pinpoint the harms of e-cigarettes
The ban on e-cigarettes in India has faced controversy from multiple sources, ranging from the industry itself to some health experts. However, recent scientific data, as well as the opinion of leading European cardiologists, may vindicate the government’s position on the matter. Professor Thomas Münzel, of the Department of Cardiology of the University Medical Centre […]
Enforce ban on e-cigarettes, Home Ministry urges
State-level authorities are being urged to take steps to enforce the Government’s ban on e-cigarettes by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier this year, the Centre imposed a ban via an executive order which was approved by the Union Cabinet and submitted to President Ram Nath Kovind for approval. The ban on e-cigarettes, or […]
The e-cigarette industry turns to the states
The e-cigarette industry in India has appealed to state governments for help following a national ban on the devices by the Centre. The Trade Representatives of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) argued that health falls within the purview of state governments as opposed to the Centre. Therefore, it should be state governments which decide what […]
E-cigarette sales continue despite ban
E-cigarette sales continue in India, despite a government ban on the devices. Online vendors and stores continue to sell electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) more than a month after an ordinance was passed prohibiting them in the country. The fact that e-cigarette sales continue has elicited concern from some experts, who have encouraged the Government […]
Vardhan speaks out on ENDS ban
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has reiterated support for the government ban on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes, arguing in favour of the measure for the benefit of public health. “ENDS have a net negative impact on public health,” the Minister said during a recent interview, citing statistics which indicate that […]