Despite being banned, the menace of vaping continues to create havoc in the lives of people as a variety of nicotine-delivery devices are easily available at neighbourhood cigarette shops and on websites in India. To create awareness among school and college students against the deadly habit, bureaucrats, sportspersons, personnel from the armed forces and child welfare organizations have joined an anti-vaping campaign.
Under the umbrella of Think Change Forum, a think tank on public policies which has launched 'Freedom for our Future'- a campaign to educate youth on the hazards of vaping, legends in their respective fields urged the Government to initiate advertising drives against vaping on public platforms.
Sanjoy Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, Founder Trustee Salam Balak Trust said, "Just as graphic anti-smoking ads are shown in movie halls, we need similar impactful communication against vaping. These ads should depict the potential harm to a person's lungs and overall health, and strive to make vaping uncool. The need of the moment is for the Government to launch an anti-vaping advertising campaign."
Dr. Deepa Malik - Padma Shri Khel Ratna & Arjuna Awardee echoed similar views emphasising that such a campaign will go a long way to curtail the habit of vaping among children and protect their health.
"Policymakers also must swiftly revise policies and initiate comprehensive awareness campaigns about the detrimental effects of vaping. These impactful ads should not be limited to movie halls alone but should be displayed in various public spaces to rectify misconceptions," Dr Malik said.
The 'Freedom for our Future' campaign will primarily be a digital campaign in keeping with the digital savvy GenNext. It will consist of a series of educational videos that will highlight the ill-effects of vaping and dismantle any misinformation attached to the habit.
Dr. Rajesh Kumar Executive Director, Society for Promotion of Youth & Masses (SPYM) felt that there was a need for a comprehensive Government-led demand reduction program, coupled with new legislation to punish behaviour like vaping.
"While global and Indian efforts have largely focused on supply reduction, we must also prioritize demand reduction. Relying solely on supply reduction initiatives is insufficient, " said Dr Kumar while Major General Ajay Kumar Chaturvedi, a record-holding national rower suggested a well-defined purpose keeps children committed and deters harmful behaviours like vaping or alcohol consumption.