Indian Doctors Raise Concern About Increase In Cancer Due To E-Cig Ban

Source from:  Vapingpost 08/04/2020

In line with arguments by countless public health experts, in response to the nationwide e-cig ban recently passed by Parliament, Indian doctors are concerned about the resulting likely increase in cancers and chronic heart and lung diseases, as former smokers who vape to quit cigarettes, may now turn back to smoking.

Last Summer, the Union Health Ministry had prepared the Prohibition of E-cigarettes Ordinance 2019, which was sent to the Cabinet for review. This measure proposed setting in place a maximum imprisonment of up to one year alongside a penalty of Rs 1lakh ($1,400) for first-time violators. While repeat offenders could face up to three years of jail and a penalty of Rs 5lakh ($7,000).

A bill replacing this ordinance was passed in Lok Sabha earlier this month. The reviewed bill will prohibit the production, trade, transport, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes across India. It would provide for imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both to a first time violator, and an imprisonment of up to three years, along with a fine of up to five lakh rupees, for any subsequent offence.

Health experts believe the ban will prove counterproductive
Meanwhile, in line with countless arguments by anti-smoking and public health experts across the globe, local doctors are pointing out that the government should have conducted more studies before banning the products. “There is data available regarding e-cigarettes as smoking cessation devices from the UK, so Indian studies should have been taken up by the government as well as health organisations,” said Dr Bharat Gopal, Senior Pulmonologist and Director of the National Chest Centre in Delhi.

“A lot of smokers come to us asking for alternatives so that they can quit smoking. Hence, the government should at least allow research and studies to be conducted on these alternatives so that in the future, this could be a tool for smoking cessation. A ban will also give rise to a black market and the government will not have any control over it. It would have been in the greater public interest if the government would have regulated e-cigarettes and allowed more research on harm reduction tools,” he added.  Enditem