India Bans E-Cigarettes: Impact on Tobacco Harm Reduction

At the end of 2019, the Indian government announced a ban on e-cigarette products. Initially announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the law was later passed by parliament and not only prohibits the sale, manufacture, and distribution of e-cigarettes, but also bans their import, export, transportation, storage, and advertising.

Sitharaman stated that the background for this is that young people have been subject to too many experiments, or at least that is the concern. She even said, "Unfortunately, e-cigarettes were initially advertised as a way for people to quit smoking." However, there is evidence showing that vaping is much safer than smoking, and many people have successfully used e-cigarettes to quit deadly tobacco.

The ban in India has also resulted in significant consequences. First-time offenders can face up to one year in prison and a fine of $1,400; additional convictions can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of $7,000.

Emphasizing the need to reduce the harm caused by tobacco worldwide cannot be overstated in journalistic English.

The prospects for Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) seem bleak going forward. Comprehensive bans appear to be getting worse, with the Indian Aviation Authority banning passengers from carrying electronic cigarette products on planes as of February 2020. This means Indian citizens cannot legally travel to a country with e-cigarettes and bring them back.

As of 2018, approximately 1.2 billion smokers worldwide were located in India, comprising roughly 12% of the global smoking population. India's smoking prevalence rate stands at 29%, making it the second largest consumer of tobacco products globally, trailing only China. This amounts to about 14% of India's total population being smokers.

Consumer rights advocates in India have been tirelessly opposing bans - lobbying the government, educating tobacco users, and exploring any available legal options. One of the most well-known advocates is Jagannath Sarangapani, an entrepreneur based in Hyderabad. When he switched to vaping, he was able to quit his habit of smoking 40 cigarettes a day. As a member of the Indian Vaping Association, he is also a board member of INNCO (International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organizations), advocating for the rights and well-being of those who wish to use safer nicotine alternatives.

Filter and Sarangapani discussed the current state of THR (Tobacco Harm Reduction) in India, and what the future might hold.

Kiran Sidhu asked, "Can you describe your personal journey in reducing tobacco harm?

Jagannath Sarangapani, a former smoker, developed the habit in his late twenties around 27 or 28 years old. He soon found himself smoking 40 cigarettes a day, and even more when he went out drinking with friends. He had discussed quitting smoking with a friend and tried nicotine gum, but it was ineffective. He then attempted nicotine patches, but did not like them. Although they did decrease his daily cigarette intake, he eventually returned to smoking 40 a day. Sarangapani made many attempts to quit smoking.

The day I received my electronic cigarette was also the day I quit smoking.

On my birthday in 2015, my friends and I made a serious decision to quit smoking. That's when we stumbled upon e-cigarettes. Later that evening, we ordered a kit. The day I received my e-cigarette was the day I quit smoking - going from smoking 40 cigarettes a day to zero. This happened seven years ago. No one introduced me to e-cigarettes; it was a product of my own research. With this knowledge, my friends and I formed an e-cigarette group to advise others on how to quit smoking.

Since I started vaping, my health has improved. I can better taste my food, and I no longer use as much salt. I no longer have to take the blood pressure medication I used to take, and I can run 5 kilometers.

Can you provide us with information on the prevalence and culture of different forms of tobacco use in India?

In India, only a small portion of the population are actually cigarette smokers. The most popular form of tobacco use is bidi – rolled leaves containing a mixture of tobacco and other substances – which is common in rural areas and among the lower-middle class. Snuff and chewing tobacco are also widely used, making them the largest forms of tobacco consumption in India. Despite this, statistics show that the percentage of smokers in the country is small. In India, the size of a cigarette is taxed – the shorter the cigarette, the lower the tax.

How did you first get involved in the national THR campaign?

In 2019, there were rumblings about a potential ban on e-cigarettes. To prepare for this possibility, our e-cigarette group became more organized and structured. We believed that any ban would require a serious response, so we teamed up with the Indian Vapers Association (AVI) to launch a nationwide protest in six cities. We created signs with messages like "End the E-Cigarette Ban" and spread the word on social media using hashtags like #RegulateDontBan and #VapingSavesLives. Our efforts were widely publicized in the media.

What is the reason behind India's ban on electronic cigarettes in your opinion?

Former Minister of Health and Family Welfare and current Member of Parliament Dr. Harsh Vardhan is a strong advocate against tobacco use, which is commendable. However, he has taken a particularly negative stance on electronic cigarettes, even when serving as Chairman of the World Health Organization Executive Board. He recently spoke out against the reported entry of one of the world's leading e-cigarette brands, Juul, into the Indian market, likely out of a knee-jerk reaction to the perceived threat this poses to India's largest cigarette manufacturer, ITC. Additionally, the EVALI panic, which was misconstrued by news outlets around the world, may have contributed to his perspective.

Can you believe a life insurance company has a stake in a cigarette company?

The government discussed the issue of teenage e-cigarettes and how a ban could protect young people. However, many kids are curious about it. How many have tried smoking? Consider this: for a child, buying an e-cigarette costs 2,500 rupees (about $31). That's a lot of money. But you can buy a cigarette for 15 rupees (about 19 cents).

The shares of ITC are held by two insurance companies, one state-owned and the other publicly owned, both of which are under government control. Can you believe that a life insurance company owns shares in a cigarette company? On the day the ban was announced, ITC's stock prices skyrocketed. This raises the suspicion that the tobacco companies, feeling threatened, may have pushed for the ban to be implemented.

What are the risks associated with India's ban on e-cigarettes?

It's truly sad. I know many former e-cigarette users who have turned back to smoking because they don't want the hassle of dealing with the black market to buy e-cigarettes. Since there are no regulations, and you have to get e-cigarettes from the black market, you can't be sure what you are getting.

The ban is a human rights issue. My right to choice, autonomy, privacy, and health are all being violated. Then there is the right to access information. India does have the Right to Information Act. This is being diluted. The government has banned research on reducing tobacco harm. At the same time, they are saying that THR products do not have enough research and evidence!

What is the e-cigarette community doing to push for change?

We are members of AVI and are attempting to challenge the government. We have been in contact with politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties, writing letters to inform them about factual developments and hoping to raise enough awareness for a meaningful debate regarding THR. Our efforts culminated during the electronic cigarette anniversary and World Vape Day.

Has the current legal status of electronic cigarettes created unique challenges for THR advocacy?

We are facing a serious challenge in this matter. People still ask me where they can buy electronic cigarettes. They want to quit smoking. I can tell them about electronic cigarettes, inform them and discuss it with them - but I cannot tell them where to get it.

I put some lozenges and nicotine gum in my pocket in case my e-cigarette is confiscated.

There is a lack of awareness about THR (Tobacco Harm Reduction) among the general population in India. The sudden ban announced nationwide has brought attention to something called "e-cigarettes." Only a few people are familiar with e-cigarettes and are transitioning from traditional smoking to e-cigarettes. There aren't many viable alternatives available. Nicotine pouches and strips that can be placed on the tongue are becoming available in medical stores. These products are being carried around as alternatives in case e-cigarettes are confiscated.

Many doctors have a perception problem when it comes to nicotine and cancer. They misunderstand that it is actually the tar and smoke that are harmful and instead attribute cancer risk to nicotine. Despite being trusted professionals, they lack understanding in this area. Fortunately, we have the AHRER (Association for Harm Reduction Education and Research), which is made up of medical professionals discussing harm reduction. Dr. Shree Sucharitha has been doing an incredible job of raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco. Unfortunately, other doctors seem to ignore alternatives and hide their heads in the sand, much like putting a paper bag over their heads.

What is your perspective on the development of the situation? Is there hope for improvement?

We need to look at what other countries are doing. We need to engage internationally. The United Arab Emirates originally banned electronic cigarettes, but they have now overturned the ban.

The Indian Medical Research Council has curated a collection of research papers carefully selecting the information and studies they publish, presenting a challenge to access their full range. The only way to overcome this obstacle is through legal action. Fortunately, the judicial system remains largely independent, providing hope for accessing the information withheld.

Announcement:

This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended for industry exchange and learning purposes only.

This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the article's content. The translation of this article is solely for industry exchange and research.

Due to limitations in translation abilities, the compiled article may not accurately express the original text. Therefore, please refer to the original text for accuracy.

2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign-related statements and positions.

Compiled information belongs to the original media and authors, if there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion.