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.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
