Urging the State government to bring an effective notification for the ban in the state as soon as possible, members of the Tamil Nadu People for Tobacco Control (TNPTC), said that though cigarette smoking among teens has dropped in the last few decades, the use of electronic cigarettes, which is also called vaping, has risen.

“The state government had decided to bring a ban on e-cigarettes after it was implemented in other states, including Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka and Bihar. However, due to the lack of awareness on the ill effects of this form of smoking, it is not being taken seriously,” said S Cyril Alexander, state convener of the organisation.

In its advisory to all states, the Centre enumerated the ill-effects of using the Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). It said that these devices do not burn tobacco leaves but instead, it vaporises a solution, which the user inhales. It said that one of the main constituents of the solution, is nicotine, which is the addictive component of tobacco products. 

It said that in addition to creating dependence, nicotine can have adverse effects on the development of the foetus during pregnancy. It may contribute to cardiovascular disease to the people who use ENDS. It said that nicotine may function as a tumour promoter. Foetal and adolescent nicotine exposure may have long-term consequences for brain development, potentially leading to learning and anxiety disorders.

“If the state government takes this up seriously and brings about an effective notification in this regard, we might actually see a dip in the number of people in the state using this,” said Saradha S, an activist.