With traditional tobacco products under scrutiny for their severe health impacts, the tobacco industry is now promoting e-cigarettes and vapes as healthier alternatives, health and child rights experts have raised alarms, urging the Government to address this growing threat on an urgent basis.
They warned that these products are being strategically marketed despite being banned from attracting and entrapping the young population, especially those aged 10 to 19.
"E-cigarettes and vapes are as dangerous as tobacco and drugs for our country.
Once a child is addicted to these products, they can easily be drawn to other forms of tobacco," said Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), at a webinar organized by Tobacco Free India, a citizens’ initiative, recently.
Kanoongo highlighted the urgent need for vigilance while Dr Naveen Thacker, President of the International Pediatric Association (IPA), voiced serious concerns about the tobacco industry’s tactics. "The industry is falsely promoting e-cigarettes and vapes as ‘healthy’ and harmless alternatives to traditional tobacco, with a relentless focus on targeting the youth.
This is a blatant lie. These products are just as harmful, and their deliberate targeting of children is unmistakable," he stated.
Dr Thacker underscored the critical need for heightened awareness among children and parents to prevent the use of these hazardous products among young people. "The industry uses social media and e-commerce platforms to trap young children, leveraging influencers and even experts to lure them. Their targeting of young people is evident with flavors like bubble gum and sugar candy, being illegally sold in 600 enticing varieties. “
Dr Pragya Shukla, Head of the Department of Clinical Oncology at Delhi State Cancer Institute and a renowned public health expert minced no words as she slammed the tobacco players’ tactics to portray e-cigarettes as healthy and market them to children. She stated, "All our health experts and international health bodies, including the WHO, fully support India's move to ban e-cigarettes.
Dr Sudhanshu Kumar, Associate Professor at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, slammed the industry bid to challenge legal provisions, claiming that they will reduce government revenue and promote the black market. Dr. Kumar favoured stringent regulations to safeguard the population from the dangers of e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco products.
