Lok Sabha Question No. 101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-21
Subject: e-Cigarettes
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar, Sudheer Gupta

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 101 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 ST JUNE,2019

## E - Cigarettes

## 101. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that e -cigarettes are gaining popularity in the country, if so, the details thereof and the health hazards attached to it;
- (b) whether All India Institute of Medical Sciences has issued any warning egarding harmful effects of e -cigarettes;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the preventive steps taken by the Government;
- (d) whether lack of awareness among people about e - cigarettes is the prime reason for its gaining popularity in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and measures taken by the Government to create awareness among people in the country?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFAR E (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (e): As per the second round of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS - 2)  2016 - 17, about 3% of adults (aged 15 years and above) in India are aware about e - cigarettes and there are 0.02% estimated e -cigarette users.

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 dissolved into Propylene Glycol or/and Glycerin. ENDS aerosol contains nico tine, the addictive component of tobacco products. In addition to dependence, nicotine can have adverse effec the development of the foetus during pregnancy and may contribute to cardiovascular dis The WHO report further says that although nicoti ne itself is not a carcinogen, it may function as a 'tumour promoter' and seems to be involved in the biology of malignant disease, as well as of neurodegeneration. Foetal and adolescent nicotine exposure may have long - term consequences for  brain  developme nt,  potentially  leading  to  learning  and  anxiety  disorders.  The  evidenc sufficient to warn children and adolescents, pregnant women, and women of reproductive against ENDS use and nicotine.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences has not issue d any formal warning regarding harmful effects of e - cigarettes.

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 all  States/Union  Territories  to  ensure  that  any  Electronic  Nicotine  Delivery  Systems  ( including e - Cigarettes, Heat - Not- Burn devices, Vape, e - Sheesha, e - Nicotine Flavo ured Hookah, and  the  like  devices  that  enable  nicotine  delivery  are  not  sold  (including  onlin manufactured, distributed, traded, imported and advertised in their jurisdictions, excep purpose & in the manner and to the extent, as may be app roved under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made thereunder.