“Social media and advertising in and around vape shops and other retailers appear to be key exposure locations,” said Simone Pettigrew, The George Institute for Global Health, in a statement.
“Urgent attention is needed to address these forms of exposure given their apparent association with e-cigarette use,” Pettigrew added. The use of e-cigarettes by children, adolescents, and young adults has raised substantial public health concern. These e-cigarettes not only increase exposure to nicotine, leading to a greater risk of addiction.
What is An Electronic Cigarette?
An electronic cigarette is a battery-operated device that emits a vaporized solution to inhale. Although less harmful than regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. These can harm the lungs as well as brain development of adolescents and young adults. Meanwhile, in India, the possession of e-cigarettes and similar devices in any form, quantity or manner is banned.
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The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA) 2019, prohibits the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of e-cigarettes.
Yet, 2023 data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reveals a significant increase in the number of e-cigarette users in India –over 100,000 users in 2023 from approximately 10,000 in 2019.The rapid growth is particularly noticeable among young people and adults under the age of 30.
Source: IANS
