e-cigarettes: Doctors hail ban, traders decry

New Delhi, September 18

With the Union Cabinet directing a blanket ban on e-cigarettes in the country with complete suspension of their manufacturing, import, export, distribution and storage, physicians welcomed the step while e-cigarette traders expressed shock and anger over the decision. 

“Although, e-cigarettes are little less lethal then the conventional cigarettes, we cannot shun away the fact that it contains harmful ingredients. These chemicals can potentially affect the lungs and overall health of the individual in the long run,” said Rajesh Chawla, Senior Pulmonologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. 

Industry body TRENDS which represents importers, distributors and marketers of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) in India, termed the decision to ban e-cigarettes “ironic and erratic”. — IANS