Relevance: GS Prelims and Mains GS-II – Health
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, e-vaporizers, or electronic nicotine delivery systems, are battery-operated devices that people use to inhale an aerosol, which typically contains nicotine (though not always), flavourings, and other chemicals. They can resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes (cig-a-likes), cigars, or pipes, or even everyday items like pens or USB memory sticks. Other devices, such as those with fillable tanks, may look different. Regardless of their design and appearance, these devices generally operate in a similar manner and are made of similar components.
Government bans e-cigarettes citing health risk to youth.
- Union Cabinet had approved an ordinance banning production, import, distribution and sale of electronic cigarettes.
- The draft ordinance provides for a maximum imprisonment of up to one year along with a penalty of Rs 1 lakh against first-time violators. This can go up to three years of jail and a penalty of Rs 5 lakh for repeat offenders.
- E-cigarettes do not burn tobacco, but use a heating element to vaporize liquid nicotine, which the user inhales.
- These are not licensed in Indiaand are often marketed as products to help smokers quit, and harmless than cigarettes.
- A typical cartridge contains about as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes and can act as a potential source for nicotine addiction
SOME FACTS
- Some states, including Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Mizoram, have already banned use and sale of e-cigarettes, vape and e-hookah.
- New York and Michigan have also banned e-cigarettes recently this year.
- More than 9,00,000 people die each year in the country due to tobacco-related illnesses. But India has 106 million adult smokers, second only to China in the world.