E-cigarette ban in India - What is E-cigarette? why is it harmful?

E-cigarette is another name for ENDS- Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems. it is also known as vapes, e-pipes. They are marketed as tobacco-free nicotine delivery devices. The E-cigarette is battery operated.

E-cigarette is said to be lesser harmful than traditional ones and advertised so. But the adverse 

health effects of E-cigarette is not yet known. Just like a normal cigarette, E-cigarettes also deliver ultrafine particles and nicotine deep into the lungs which are later absorbed by the blood. A 2018 study found the use of E-cigarette daily was associated with a 79% increase in heart attack

risk after other variables were taken into account. According to a white paper on E-cigarettes by 

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), depending on the battery output voltage used, 

nicotine solvents can release in varying amounts potential carcinogens such as acetaldehyde,

formaldehyde, and acetone.

But the fear is that this safer tag that goes with E-cigarettes may attract even non-users and cause addiction, especially among adolescent people. This can also harm adolescent brain development especially parts of the brain that control attention, learning, and impulse control.

Nicotine is known to affect synapses connections formed in the brain. The effect could be damaging in case of such an effect on young brain synapses.

Also, they are promoted as a way to quit the harmful practice of smoking only to fall into the addiction of ENDS.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved E-cigarettes as an alternative

to reduce smoking. 

A 2015 survey cited by The Truth Initiative (an anti ­tobacco organisation) found that almost

60% of those who used E-cigarettes also smoked cigarettes, called as dual users.

Bill banning the manufacture and sale of electronic cigarettes, but not their possession and use

was passed by the Indian Parliament on Monday. Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 which is seen as a welcome move after ICMR suggesting it for a while now.

This ban is seen as a step in the right direction and in the future maybe its use would be banned as a whole.