India's Emerging Golden Vaping Market: 66% of Smokers Support E-Cigarettes

According to a report from Hans India, a recent survey shows that nearly 66% of smokers in India believe that e-cigarettes are a "positive alternative" to tobacco products. More than 3/4 of respondents agree that "the government should encourage adult smokers to switch to less harmful cigarette alternatives through tax and regulatory policies, and ensure that they are not used by minors."

This survey is the first of its kind targeting adult smokers in India, led by the non-profit organization FactAsia.org, and is used to assess consumer perceptions of safer cigarette alternatives such as e-cigarettes.

The survey results show:

1. "If e-cigarettes are legal, meet quality and safety standards, and are easy to use," 69% of smokers in India would consider switching to e-cigarettes.

2. Although more than 1/3 (36%) of smokers in India express some familiarity with e-cigarettes, only a few have actually tried them.

3. 80% of respondents believe they should have the right to learn about low-risk products.

4. More than 3/4 of respondents agree that "the government should encourage adult smokers to switch to less harmful cigarette alternatives through tax and regulatory policies, and ensure that they are not used by minors."

5. 73% of smokers say that "preventing or delaying the introduction of less harmful tobacco alternatives" would be a wrong decision by the authorities.

Global public health experts claim that e-cigarettes are "over 95% healthier than smoking" and encourage smokers who find it difficult to quit or are dependent on nicotine to consider e-cigarettes as a much less harmful alternative.

According to Euromonitor International, India is now the fourth largest illegal cigarette market in the world. "The government has a great opportunity to ensure that the problems with traditional tobacco products do not recur," said Heneage Mitchell, co-founder of FactAsia.org. "It is clear that India needs to take action to regulate the industry, establish quality standards, impose reasonable taxes, and ensure that they are only provided to adults, like many other consumer products."