Ghaziabad: The health department, in collaboration with cops, conducted an operation against the sale of illegal e-cigarettes in the district and seized 267 e-cigarette products from two shops at Tyagi market in Ghukna. The department also issued notices to the shopkeepers for selling tobacco products without mandatory health warnings. The action was part of a routine inspection conducted by the district's tobacco control cell.
Officials said that an FIR was lodged against the shop owners under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 — which bans the production, sale and distribution of e-cigarettes and related accessories in the country.
"This marks the first major crackdown on e-cigarette sales. These products are often imported and are priced between Rs 1,200 and Rs 5,000, depending on the number of puffs and flavours. The crackdown comes amid rising concerns about the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes among the youth, who are drawn to the flavoured options and perceive them as a safer alternative," a senior health official told TOI.
Medical professionals have expressed grave concerns about the health risks associated with vaping, emphasising that e-cigarettes are not a safer alternative to traditional smoking.
"E-cigarettes expose users to harmful chemicals, including nicotine, which is highly addictive. They deliver aerosolised nicotine along with toxic substances such as volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and ultrafine particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. This can lead to serious respiratory issues like chronic bronchitis, lung inflammation, and worsened asthma symptoms," said Dr Ankit Bhatia, senior consultant of pulmonology at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Vaishali.
Dr Rahul Sharma, consultant pulmonologist at Fortis Hospital in Noida, echoed these warnings, highlighting the deceptive appeal of flavoured e-cigarettes.
"Their sleek designs and trendy marketing often attract young users, creating a false sense of safety. Despite the ban under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, illegal trade continues due to this misconception. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and acrolein, which are linked to cancer, lung, and heart damage," he said.
Dr Sharma also cited the 2019–2020 outbreak of e-cigarette-related illnesses in the United States, where over 3,000 individuals were hospitalised and 68 fatalities were reported. "The deaths were largely attributed to Vitamin E acetate and other harmful substances found in e-cigarettes," he added.