After world-fame celebrities like Dr Deepa Malik, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna Arjuna Awardee; Dr Bhavna Barmi who is an internationally acclaimed Clinical Psychologist, a public speaker, founder of Happiness Studio and Head Psychologist at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, it is now Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia who has joined Mothers Against Vaping, a united front of concerned mothers to combat the promotion of new-age tobacco devices such as e-cigarettes and vapes among kids and youth.
She said, "As a responsible mother, I wholeheartedly support the Mothers Against Vaping group and their cause. The issue is deeply alarming, and all mothers should be concerned as it directly impacts the health of our children.
"We, as mothers, must unite, raise our voices, and increase awareness against vaping and electronic cigarettes to ensure that such habits are completely eradicated from the lives of our children and youth."
The icons in their respective fields feel that despite a nationwide ban, international manufacturers are leaving no stone unturned to promote these devices with a specific focus on Indian children and youth as they desperately search for new markets against the backdrop of tightening regulations.
Dr Varuna Pathak, a former Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the Gandhi Medical College, Kamaljeet Kaur, a famous calligraphy artist, and Vaishali Sharma, founder of The Champa Tree are among those who have taken up the cause under the Mothers Against Vaping platform to save the kids from the menace.
"Such awareness campaigns are essential to counteract the deceptive marketing strategies employed by e-cigarette manufacturers to promote these new-age tobacco devices and heat-no-burn tobacco products.
"These devices, often adorned with eye-catching designs and flavoured with strawberry or bubble gum, have gained immense popularity among children. As digital natives, today's children and youth are quick to embrace new technologies, making them particularly susceptible to the allure of vaping.
"This trend poses a serious threat of addiction, as e-cigarettes and other new-age tobacco devices can serve as gateway devices for introducing users to harmful substances like cocaine and heroin," said a statement issued here.