2019 – Posted in: Daily News – Tags: e-cigarettes, health issues

COMPLETE BAN ON E-CIGARETTES

For: Preliminary & Mains

Topic covers: E-cigarettes, Negative impact on health and society, New Recommendation

News Flash

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended complete ban on e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

E-cigarettes and other such devices contains nicotine solution, which was highly addictive. It also includes harmful ingredients such as flavoring agents and vaporizers.

World No-Tobacco Day : 31 May

Negative impact of Society

ICMR said that, these devices could encourage non-smokers to get addicted to tobacco.
Various flavours and attractive designs are adding to the allure of the devices and there was an increasing trend for the use of e-cigarettes among youth and adolescents in many countries including India.
Use of ENDS or e-cigarettes can open a gateway for new tobacco addiction.

Health impacts

Use of ENDS or e-cigarettes has documented adverse effects on humans, which include:

DNA damage.
Carcinogenic, cellular, molecular and immunological toxicity.
Respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological disorders.
Adverse impact on fetal development and pregnancy.

Related Committee

Committee is headed by Dr. K. Srinath Reddy.
Committee included experts from ICMR, AII India Institute of Medical Sciences, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Findings of Committee

The paper has rejected the argument that e-cigarettes could help smokers quit tobacco consumption.
There were more than 460 different e-cigarette brands with varied configuration of nicotine delivery and they came in over 7,700 flavours and were fast becoming a fad among youngsters.
Youths using e-cigarettes and other such devices are more likely to use regular cigarettes later.
In the wake of low barrier to entry, the market for e-cigarettes and other such devices is growing rapidly, with the industry bringing in a diverse set of products through a variety of channels.

White Paper

A white paper is an authoritative report or guide that informs readers concisely about a complex issue and presents the issuing body’s philosophy on the matter. It is meant to help readers understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision.

Source: The Hindu Businessline

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