Reassessing India's Tobacco Laws: A Call for Informed Policy

Veteran law-maker MV Rajeev Gowda recently spoke out against India's ban on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), stating that the government should reassess its tobacco laws in light of the growing tobacco crisis in the country. He proposed that policymakers examine each type of ENDS and heat not burn (HNB) devices individually and consider the possibility of using these as a strategy for reducing tobacco harm.

Gowda stated that the wide availability of ENDS and e-cigarettes despite the ban indicates its failure to meet its objectives. He compared the situation with alcohol prohibitions, which merely led to the growth of black markets and increased health risks due to the consumption of counterfeit products. He suggested that the government take a balanced approach to e-cigarette regulations, similar to how it handles alcohol and tobacco, products that are difficult to prohibit and also generate income.

He also noted that while India's tobacco cessation strategy primarily involves nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), ENDS and HNB devices that offer alternative tobacco harm reduction strategies should not be overlooked. He urged the government to adopt a risk-proportionate regulatory framework that simultaneously protects non-smokers, discourages smoking, and provides smokers with access to lower-risk products based on conclusive scientific evidence.

To create an informed policy, Gowda proposed a thorough scientific investigation into the regulation of e-cigarettes and their impact. He stressed the need for each piece of evidence to be objectively evaluated before drawing conclusions. He also emphasized more research into the impact of ENDS and HNB devices, which he believes could provide tobacco consumers with a potentially safer alternative.

Lastly, Gowda touched on the issue of tobacco farming in light of impending policy changes, noting that the livelihoods of those involved should be critically considered. He mentioned the resistance faced by WHO's recommendation to replace tobacco crops with food crops to address the global food crisis.