Bengaluru experts say the local e-cigarette ban is nearly ineffective due to enforcement issues

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a recommendation warning of the urgent need for action to protect children and prevent the use of e-cigarettes.

Educators and doctors in Bengaluru state that despite the ban, there are enforcement issues, as vendors in small shops openly sell prohibited products without even checking age requirements. Experts suggest that new methods are needed to raise awareness.

The organization noted that the rate of e-cigarette use among children aged 13 to 15 is significantly higher than that of adults. In a statement released on December 14, the WHO pointed out that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are highly addictive and harmful.

Some of these toxic substances are believed to cause cancer, while others increase the risk of heart and lung diseases. The use of e-cigarettes may also affect brain development, leading to learning disabilities. Exposure to e-cigarette emissions poses risks to passive smokers as well.

Vasudev Sharma, Executive Director of the Child Rights Trust, stated, "The sale of e-cigarettes in the city is rampant. For children, it is as harmful as directly consuming nicotine tablets." He questioned the government's approach of merely issuing notifications without ensuring enforcement of the regulations.

Experts also pointed out that the perception that e-cigarettes are "less harmful" than cigarettes is prevalent among teenagers. Public health and policy expert Chandrakant Lahariya believes that the variety of nicotine products available in the market necessitates the introduction of new interventions at the school and university levels.

The WHO also emphasized that even brief exposure to e-cigarette content on social media may be associated with an increased willingness to use these products. Research has shown that individuals who use e-cigarettes are three times more likely to use cigarettes later on compared to non-users.