Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019

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?

• In light of e-cigarettes easily being available online and at tobacco shops despite a ban, the Union Health Ministry has issued a public notice for stricter implementation of the Act which prohibits manufacture, sale and advertisements of electronic cigarettes.

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.

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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 vs 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

• With e-cigarettes easily available online and at tobacco shops despite a ban, the Union Health Ministry has issued a public notice for stricter implementation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
• Despite heavy penalties and imprisonment, e-cigarettes are widely available across a range of sources, including tobacco vendors, general stores, and online providers.
• The ministry has directed all producers, manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors, advertisers, etc. not to directly or indirectly produce or manufacture or import or export or transport or sell or distribute or store e-cigarettes, whether as a complete product or any part thereof.
• In the notice issued recently it has also asked them not to advertise electronic cigarettes or take part in an advertisement that directly or indirectly promotes the use of electronic cigarettes.
• 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.

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 does cigarette smoke contain?

Of the more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, at least 250 are known to be harmful, including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and ammonia.

Source: Vaping ban violations: Centre issues public notice for stricter implementation of Act | Print