Lok Sabha Question No. 2826 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: e-Cigarettes
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Pankaj Chowdhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2826 (H) TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th JULY, 2019

## E-CIGARETTES

## 2826(H). SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण�य एवं उ�ोग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the rising trend of e-cigarette among the juveniles and youth in the  country  is  proving  extremely  harmful  for  their  health  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) the details and the quantum of e-cigarette or electronic nicotine delivery system imported in the country during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) whether the use of vaporizers or e-cigarette has been banned in various countries of the world and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to ban the import and use of ecigarette or electronic nicotine delivery system and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=h ( Jh ih;w'k xks;y ) THE MINISTER OF  COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) As per a report of WHO, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems [ENDS] [also known as ecigarettes]  heat  a  solution  to  create  an  aerosol  which  frequently  contains  flavourants, usually dissolved into Propylene Glycol or/and Glycerin. ENDS aerosol contains nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco products. In addition to dependence, nicotine can have  adverse  effects  on  the  development  of  the  foetus  during  pregnancy  and  may

contribute to cardiovascular disease. The WHO report further says that although nicotine 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 development, potentially leading to learning and anxiety disorders. The evidence is sufficient to warn children  and  adolescents,  pregnant  women,  and  women  of  reproductive  age  against ENDS use and nicotine.

- [b] E-cigarette  or  Electronic  Nicotine  Delivery  Systems  (ENDS)  has  not  been separately classified under Import Policy and are being imported under different HS Codes. Import of e-cigarette, its Accessories and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), for the last three years and current year is as under:
- [c] As per the World Health Organization Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2017,  the  Governments  of  thirty  [30]  countries,  including  Mauritius,  Australia, Singapore,  Korea  [Democratic  People's  Republic],  Sri  Lanka,  Thailand,  Brazil, Mexico,  Uruguay,  Bahrain,  Iran,  Saudi Arabia,  United Arab  Emirates  etc  have already banned Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) in their countries.
- [d] Ban on import is not possible unless there is a legal ban on domestic production, distribution and consumption. Considering that Health is a state subject, Ministry of  Health  &  Family  Welfare,  Government  of  India,  has  issued  an Advisory  on 28.8.2018  to  all  States/Union Territories  to  ensure  that  any  Electronic  Nicotine Delivery 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  not  sold  [including  online  sale],  manufactured,  distributed,  traded, imported and advertised in their jurisdictions, except for the purpose and in the manner and to the extent, as may be approved under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.

| Item Description                       | Value in US $   | Value in US $   | Value in US $   | Value in US $                    |
|----------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|----------------------------------|
| e-Cigarettes, its accessories and ENDS | 2016-17         | 2017-18         | 2018-19*        | 2019-2020 (Upto 30th April, 2019 |
| e-Cigarettes, its accessories and ENDS | 38126.34        | 70171.45        | 83483.54        | Nil                              |

Governments of 14 States viz. Punjab, Karnataka, Mizoram,  Kerala, Jammu  & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Ta mil Nadu, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan and Meghalaya have prohibited the manufacture, distribution, import and sale of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).

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