E-cigarettes have been found by health experts to be as dangerous to health as smoking. Given its risks, its sale is banned in India, although it continues to be sold on many websites. The Union Health Ministry has taken strict steps in this direction. According to official sources, the Health Ministry has sent notices to 15 websites selling banned e-cigarettes in India, directing them to stop advertising and selling the products. Six more websites are on the radar.
According to sources, the ministry is also closely monitoring the advertisement and sale of e-cigarettes on social media. According to the report of the news agency PTI, out of 15 websites to which the notice has been issued, four have also stopped their operations. Legal action can also be taken against the websites which did not implement the notice. Significantly, since the year 2019, there is a ban on its sale in India.
The sale of e-cigarettes is banned in India
"We have detected online advertisement and sale of illegal e-cigarettes, which is illegal under section 4 of the Electronic Cigarettes Prohibition Act," said the notice issued by the health ministry to the websites.
Even before this, in February, the ministry had recommended all states and union territories to ensure effective compliance with the ban on e-cigarettes. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that there have been cases of devices like e-cigarettes being sold in convenience or stationery stores, resulting in these products being easily accessible to children. This needs serious attention.
Know about electronic cigarette
An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is an electronic device that looks like a cigarette. Its reach among children and youth is increasing rapidly. According to studies, it can be very harmful to health. The government had decided to ban e-cigarettes to keep the youth safe from its risks.
Not only in India, its sale and use are banned in about 47 countries including Thailand, Singapore, Argentina, and Cambodia.
E-cigarettes can cause many disadvantages
E-cigarettes are still fairly new, and scientists are still studying their long-term health effects. Research so far has found that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a risk factor for several health problems such as nicotine addiction, and damage to brain development in adolescents and adults, pregnant women, and infants.
Burning an e-cigarette produces an aerosol, which can lead to more serious health effects.
(PC: iStock)
