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Recently, the Parliament passed the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Bill, 2019, which seeks to prohibit the production, trade, transport, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes in the country.

The government had issued ordinance to ban e-cigarettes in September 2019. The new law would replace the ordinance.

First-time offenders will face a jail term of up to one year or a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh can be imposed. For subsequent offences, a jail term can be extended up till three years or a fine of Rs 5 lakh, or both will be imposed.

The storage of e-cigarettes shall also be punishable with imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to Rs 50,000, or both.

An e-cigarette is a type of electronic inhaler filled with nicotine and other chemical liquids. This inhaler converts the liquid into steam with the energy of the battery, which makes the inhaler feel like smoking a cigarette.

Such devices are called Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS), which are used to heat a nicotine solution to make aerosols. It is also available in different tastes. Sometimes, the liquid used in e-cigarettes is nicotine and many times more dangerous chemicals. In addition, some brands use formaldehyde in e-cigarettes, which are extremely dangerous and carcinogenic.

According to the WHO, the e-cigarette industry has reached a global trade of 3 billion. There are 500 brands and more than 8,000 flavours available globally. Generally an e-cigarette costs between Rs 500 and Rs 5,000. Manufacturers claim that aerosol is just water vapour, but recent tests have confirmed the presence of toxic chemicals in it.

E-cigarette companies positioning it as the '‘new fashion statement'’ for youth and millennials are getting influenced by it. Consumption of e-cigarette doubles the chances of depression. According to research, people who consume e-cigarettes increase their risk of heart attack by 56 per cent. At the same time, consuming it for a long time can also cause blood clotting problems.

Before India, it has also been banned ‘in New York, a US state. The trend of such cigarettes had increased greatly among the youth living there. Due to which the number of diseases related to the lungs increased. After this, e-cigarettes have been banned completely here. New York City has become the second state in the United States after Michigan where flavoured e-cigarettes have been banned.

According to reports, nearly half of the e-cigarettes are sold through the online market. China emerged as the largest supplier of e-cigarettes in India. The culture of e-cigarettes was started as an alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, but over a period of time, it has also started becoming a habit. There is no regulation of e-cigarette sales in India, which makes it easier for children and adolescents to buy e-cigarettes online.

Lok Sabha members argued over regulation instead of complete ban on e-cigarettes. It is banned because unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco and therefore are not regulated under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The COTPA Act, regulates the sale, production, and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products in India, and prohibits advertisement of cigarettes.

What is correct about e-cigarette?

A) It contains nicotine

B) It contains only safe or non-harmful substances

C) It only gives the virtual feeling of smoking

D) All the above