Lok Sabha Question No. 2057 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-21
Subject: e-Cigarettes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: DHARMENDRA YADAV, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2057 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST DECEMBER, 2018

## E - CIGARETTES

## 2057. SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT: DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  Electronic  Nicotine Delivery  System  (e - cigarettes)  are  highly addicting  and potentially lethal and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  e -cigarettes  are  mostly being  used  by  children  and  youth  because these  are glamorized by the tobacco industry and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has is ued  an  advisory  requesting  all  States and Union Territories  not  to  allow  the manufacture,  sale  and  advertisement  of e- cigarettes  and  other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and if so, the details thereof along with the response of the States and Union Territories thereon;
- (d)  the  st eps  taken  by  the  Government to  ensure  that  e - cigarettes  or  Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) is banned across India; and
- (e) whether any State has banned e- cigarettes so far, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a): As per a report of WHO, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (also known as e - cigarettes)  heat  a  solution  to  create  an  aerosol  which  frequently  contains flavourants, usually dissolved into Propylene Glycol or/and Glycerin. ENDS aerosol contains nicotine addictive  component  of  tobacco  products.  In  addition  to  dependence,  nicotine  can adverse effects on the development of the foetus during pregnanc y and may contribute to cardiovascular disease. The WHO report further says that although nicotine itself i carcinogen, it may function as a 'tumour promoter' and seems to be involved in the biology of  malignant  disease,  as  well  as  of  neurodegenerat ion.  Foetal  and  adolescent  nicotine exposure  may  have  long - term  consequences  for  brain  development,  potentially  leading  to learning and anxiety disorders. The evidence is sufficient to warn children and adole pregnant women, and women of reproductiv e age against ENDS use and nicotine.

(b) to (d): Available literature son e - cigarettes suggest that e - cigarettes are being used by children and youth.

In  larger public health interest and  in  order  to  prevent  the  initiation  of Electronic Nicotine  Delivery Systems  (ENDS) by  non - smokers  and  youth  with  special  attention  to vulnerable groups, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued an Advisory  to  all  States/Union  Territories  to  ensure  that  any  Electronic  Nicotine  De Systems (ENDS)  including  e - Cigarettes,  Heat - Not- Burn  devices,  Vape,  e - Sheesha,  e -Nicotine Flavoured Hookah, and the like devices that enable nicotine delivery are no (including online sale),  manufactured, distributed, traded, imported and advertised jurisdictions, except for the purpose & in the manner and to the extent, as may be ap under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder.

After  the  issuance  of  the  Advisory,  the State  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  vide  its Order  dated03.09.2018  has  prohibited  the  manufacture,  sale  (including  online  sal distribution,  trade,  display,  marketing,  advertisement,  use,  import  and  possess Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).

State  Government  of  Punjab  has  issued  a  modified  Ci rcular  dated  03.10.2018,  to prohibit  the  sale  (including  online  sale),  manufacture,  distribution,  trade,  imp advertisement of ENDS including e - Cigarettes, Heat - Not  Burn devices, vape, e - sheesha, e -nicotine flavoured hookah, and the like devices.

(e ): As of now, the State Governments of Punjab, Karnataka, Mizoram, Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu, have prohibited e - cigarettes.