The Warning Against Misleading Promotion of E-cigarettes to Adolescents

Jul.29.2024
The Warning Against Misleading Promotion of E-cigarettes to Adolescents
Indian experts warn against misleading promotion of e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative to tobacco, targeting teenagers strategically.

According to a report by newspatrolling on July 28, Indian health and child rights experts have issued a warning that e-cigarettes are increasingly being portrayed as a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco products. This misleading claim is believed to be a strategic move by the e-cigarette industry to target teenagers aged 10 to 19.


Priyank Kanoong, the Chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in India, has issued a warning that these products are being promoted by anti-national forces to trap our youths. He has urged all states to take immediate and strict measures to address this threat.


E-cigarettes are just as dangerous as tobacco and drugs in our country. Once children become addicted to these products, they are easily attracted to using other forms of tobacco.


These (e-cigarette) products are being used as a gateway to lifelong addiction, posing a threat to the health and future of our young people. State governments must implement strict measures to address this threat and protect our children from the harm caused by these harmful substances. We must steadfastly commit to ensuring the well-being of our nation's youth.


The 2019 "Ban on E-Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertising) Act" prohibits all e-cigarette products. The implementation of this law is due to India being the second largest market for tobacco, attracting many foreign companies seeking to enter the Indian e-cigarette market.


Dr. Naveen Thacker, distinguished chairman of the International Pediatric Association (IPA), has expressed concerns about the strategies of the tobacco industry.


The industry targets young people using social media and e-commerce platforms, using influencers and even experts to attract them. Their intentions towards young people are obvious, with flavors like bubblegum and candy, illegal sales of 600 enticing varieties. Misconceptions that they are safer than traditional tobacco must be dispelled.


Dr. Pragya Shukla, Head of the Clinical Oncology Department at the Delhi National Cancer Institute and a prominent public health expert, emphasized the importance of countering industry strategies that portray e-cigarettes as healthy products and market them to children.


All our health experts and international health organizations, including the World Health Organization, fully support India's ban on e-cigarettes.


Before implementing the ban, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released a detailed report highlighting the negative impacts of e-cigarette use, pointing out that they may lead to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Philippines BIR Steps Up Illicit Vape Enforcement Ahead of Christmas Shopping
Philippines BIR Steps Up Illicit Vape Enforcement Ahead of Christmas Shopping
The Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue is intensifying enforcement against illicit vape and tobacco products ahead of the Christmas shopping season, directing regional and enforcement offices to strengthen monitoring of production sites, warehouses, distribution channels and retail outlets. The BIR destroyed 240,550 illicit vape products in August with an estimated tax liability of about PHP1.53 billion. A nationwide tax-compliance operation in July also inspected 3,590 businesses involved in tobacco and vapor products.
Regulations
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Sweden Finds ZYN Ingredient Labels Noncompliant Over Generic Flavoring Disclosure, Swedish Match Faces SEK 2 Million Monthly Penalty
Sweden Finds ZYN Ingredient Labels Noncompliant Over Generic Flavoring Disclosure, Swedish Match Faces SEK 2 Million Monthly Penalty
Sweden's Public Health Agency has found ingredient labels on ZYN nicotine pouches sold by Philip Morris International subsidiary Swedish Match to be noncompliant, according to Dagens industri. The products' packaging listed 10 to 13 ingredients, compared with 11 to 42 in regulatory submissions, with multiple flavoring ingredients grouped under the generic term "aromer." The agency ordered corrective action, warning of a conditional penalty of SEK 2 million per month for noncompliance. The order applies only to products manufactured after the decision becomes legally effective and does not require recalls. Swedish Match disputes the agency's interpretation and plans to appeal.
PMI
Oct.22
India Duty-Free Nicotine Pouch Sales Face Regulatory Test as ZYN, FOX Classification Remains Open
India Duty-Free Nicotine Pouch Sales Face Regulatory Test as ZYN, FOX Classification Remains Open
The Bombay High Court has ruled that airport duty-free shops are not exempt from India's domestic regulatory laws merely because they operate beyond the customs barrier, leaving in place a sales halt covering ZYN and FOX nicotine pouches at Mumbai's international airport. The court, however, did not determine that the products necessarily qualify as "drugs" under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The retailers have four weeks to submit product information to the appropriate authorities, including CDSCO, which must complete its review within 30 days of receiving the submissions.
Sep.24
PMI CEO Attends Opening of IQOS Global Flagship in Tokyo’s Ginza as 1,814 Limited ILUMA i PRIME Sets Launch
PMI CEO Attends Opening of IQOS Global Flagship in Tokyo’s Ginza as 1,814 Limited ILUMA i PRIME Sets Launch
IQOS opened its first global flagship, IQOS Flagship Ginza, in Tokyo on September 4, 2026, replacing the former IQOS Store Ginza after nearly a decade of operation. The new location expands conventional product retail into member lounges, digital experiences, art installations and brand programming. IQOS also launched a Ginza-exclusive IQOS ILUMA i PRIME set limited to 1,814 individually numbered units, priced at JPY11,980, or about US$77. PMI Sales Strategy Consultant Yuji M. later said on LinkedIn that more than 500 people had lined up from the night before the opening.
Sep.07
German Bundestag Passes Tobacco Tax Hikes: Vape Liquid Duty to Reach €0.44/ml, Heated Tobacco Taxes to Rise and Cigarettes Seen Near €12 a Pack
German Bundestag Passes Tobacco Tax Hikes: Vape Liquid Duty to Reach €0.44/ml, Heated Tobacco Taxes to Rise and Cigarettes Seen Near €12 a Pack
Germany's Bundestag passed amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act on October 15, 2026, setting out annual excise tax increases from 2027 through 2030 for e-cigarette liquids, heated tobacco, cigarettes and other tobacco products. Under the Finance Committee's amended bill, duty on qualifying e-liquids will rise from €0.32/ml in 2026 to €0.44/ml in 2030, an increase of 37.5%. Heated tobacco will retain its tax calculation based on 80% of the corresponding cigarette excise duty. The average price of a 20-cigarette pack is projected to approach €12 by 2030, with some brands potentially reaching €14. The legislation is projected to generate approximately €11.8 billion in additional tax revenue over four years and remains subject to further legislative procedures.
Regulations
Oct.19
Special Report|CrossBar's High-Puff Vapes Draw Attention on Pennsylvania's 163-Product Directory as Link Between Earlier 1.3mL PMTA Filings and New 13mL Products Remains Unclear
Special Report|CrossBar's High-Puff Vapes Draw Attention on Pennsylvania's 163-Product Directory as Link Between Earlier 1.3mL PMTA Filings and New 13mL Products Remains Unclear
Pennsylvania began enforcing its electronic nicotine delivery system directory restrictions on October 19, 2026. Among 163 product listings recorded before enforcement, four CrossBar 20K disposables stood out with 13mL capacity, advertised puff counts of up to 20,000 and a flattened design distinct from conventional pod systems and compact disposables. Historical records identify earlier 1.3mL CrossBar products associated with Romo LLC, while newer 13mL products appeared in several state directories beginning in 2025 under entities including Blue Nine LLC. PMTA compliance expert Mr. K identified amendments and application ownership transfers as possible regulatory mechanisms, although neither has been confirmed in this case. Separately, Reynolds' $7.5 million acquisition of 16 PACHA products and related assets illustrates the commercial value of products linked to historic PMTA submissions.
Special Report
Oct.22