Online Portal Launched to Report Violation of Ban on E-cigarettes

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• About Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019
• About Electronic Cigarettes
• Concerns w.r.t. E-Cigarettes
• Difference Between E-Cigarettes and Vape
• News Summary

 

Why in News?

• Despite the ban imposed by the Union government in 2019, e-cigarettes continue to be sold on e-commerce sites, even to children below 18.
• Now to curb this, the Health Ministry has launched an online portal to facilitate reporting of violations under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act (PECA).

 

About Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019

• The Act may be called the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019.
• The Act gives the Union government the power over the electronic cigarettes industry.
• The Act defines “electronic cigarette” as an electronic device that heats a substance, with or without nicotine and flavours, to create an aerosol for inhalation.
• From the date of the commencement of this Act, the prohibits any person from producing, manufacturing, importing, exporting, advertising, transporting, selling or distributing electronic cigarettes in India.
• If anyone is found guilty of the above mentioned activities w.r.t. e-cigarettes then he/she shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.

 

About Electronic Cigarettes

• In simple terms, e-cigarette is a device that has the shape of a cigarette, cigar, or pen and does not contain tobacco.
• It uses a battery and contains a solution of nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals, some of which may be harmful.
• When electronic cigarettes are used, the nicotine solution turns into a mist that can be inhaled into the lungs.
• The amount of nicotine in individual e-cigarettes can vary.
• It is not yet known whether electronic cigarettes are safe or if they can be used to help smokers quit smoking.

 

Concerns w.r.t. E-Cigarettes

• Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is addictive and toxic to developing foetuses.
• Nicotine exposure can also harm adolescent and young adult brain development, which continues into the early to mid-20s.
• E-cigarette aerosol can contain chemicals that are harmful to the lungs.
• And youth e-cigarette use is associated with the use of other tobacco products, including cigarettes.

 

Difference Between E-Cigarettes and Vape

 

Image Caption: E-Cigarettes and Vape

• The terms vape pen and e-cigarette are often used interchangeably, especially by the media, but they are two distinctly different things.
• E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes, are devices that look similar to traditional cigarettes.
• They generally consist of a one-piece unit that you use until it runs out and then throw it away.
• Vape pen, on the other hand, are the hugely popular devices that consist of a rechargeable battery and refillable tank.
• Vape can be used again and again by refilling it with variety of e-liquid.

 

News Summary

• Despite the ban imposed by the Union government in 2019, e-cigarettes continue to be sold on e-commerce sites, even to children below 18, warn experts working in the area of tobacco control.
• Now to curb this, the Health Ministry has launched an online portal to facilitate reporting of violations under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 (PECA)
• The portal, www.violation-reporting.in, will allow faster action against any reported violations.
• In February, the ministry had written to all States and UTs to ensure effective compliance of the ban on e-cigarettes, expressing concern that these devices are still available online and at local vendors.

 

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Q1) What is Tobacco?

Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves, which are smoked, chewed, or sniffed. Tobacco contains a chemical called nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive substance.

 

Q2) What is the respiratory system?

The respiratory system takes up oxygen from the air we breathe and expels the unwanted carbon dioxide. The main organ of the respiratory system is the lungs. Other respiratory organs include the nose, the trachea and the breathing muscles (the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles).

 

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Source: Online portal launched to report violation of ban on e-cigarettes