Vaping Ban Exists Only On Paper
Despite a 2019 ban, vaping products are readily available in India due to ineffective enforcement and rampant smuggling.Summary
The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act of 2019, intended to ban vapes in India, has proven largely ineffective. Despite prohibiting the production, sale, and distribution of vaping products, Chinese-made vapes are easily accessible in major Indian cities through smuggling via seaports and airports. Seizures of e-cigarettes have dramatically increased, from 11,000 units in 2021-22 to 800,000 in 2024-25, indicating a thriving black market. Experts suggest the ban has driven vaping underground, leading to unregulated products and potential health risks, including contamination with dangerous substances like opioids. While some experts acknowledge vaping may be less harmful than traditional tobacco, they emphasize the addictive nature of nicotine and potential for negative health impacts, especially on adolescents. The continued availability of vapes, even at local shops, alongside the government’s revenue from tobacco taxes, highlights the lack of effective implementation of the ban. A public awareness campaign is suggested as a crucial step forward.
(Source：Free Press Journal)
