New Delhi : A day after the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments to treat e-cigarettes akin to tobacco and impose a ban on all flavours, health experts in India have called on the government to take immediate action.
The plea is coupled with an appeal to the nation’s youth to renounce smoking in all its forms.
While e-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, have been considered by some as a potential tool in mitigating the adverse health effects associated with traditional smoking, the WHO contends that “urgent measures” are required to control the growing use of vapes.
In India, a concerning trend has emerged with more 13-15-year-olds using vapes than adults, pointing to the aggressive marketing strategies employed to lure the younger demographic.
In India, as in other WHO member states, vaping is popular among adults and teenagers aged 13 to 15. Vapes have been aggressively marketed, drawing in a younger demographic. There is ample research and proof that vaping can also lead to lung-related health issues. While they may aid in the cessation of tobacco use in smokers, they pose a health risk to nonsmokers, particularly children and young adults, and can lead to nicotine addiction,” Dr. Col. Vijay Dutta, an Internal Medicine & Pulmonologist at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi, told IANS.
The specialists stress that vaping is not a good alternative to tobacco use.
The over 8.67 million deaths a year linked to tobacco use highlight how urgent it is to address this public health emergency.
“The industry’s assertion that vapes are substantially less harmful to health than tobacco products is not one we can support. Early e-cigarette use is luring children into the trap of developing a nicotine addiction. Strict regulations are necessary, and a complete ban might be the best course of action. This entails outlawing menthol and other flavorings, as well as putting tobacco control laws on e-cigarettes,” Dr. Soumya Mukherjee, a consultant in BMT, hematology, and hemato oncology at Narayana Hospital in Howrah, told IANS.
According to the WHO, vapes produce chemicals that are known to cause cancer, present risks to heart and lung health, and may have an impact on young people’s brain development, even though the long-term health effects are still unknown.
“Nicotine and vaping products can have serious negative effects on the health of children and adolescents. Inhalation of nicotine through vaping can harm developing brains, impacting memory, attention, and impulse control. Nicotine is highly addictive, and early exposure increases the risk of lifelong addiction,” Dr Nehal Shah, Consultant Paediatrician, SRCC Hospital, Mumbai, told IANS.
Dr Shah said it is crucial to educate youth about the risks associated with nicotine and vaping, promoting awareness to prevent the initiation of these harmful habits and safeguard the well-being.
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