Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)

WHY IN NEW?

Citing the U.S.’s 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey, which recorded a high increase in the use of e-cigarettes among children, the Centre has asked youth to “stay away” from the product.

ABOUT ENDS

• Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), also called electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, or vape pens, are battery-powered devices used to smoke or “vape” a flavored solution which usually contains nicotine.
• Electronic cigarettes, the most common prototype, are devices that do not burn or use tobacco leaves but instead vaporise a solution the user then inhales.
• The main constituents of the solution, in addition to nicotine when nicotine is present, are propylene glycol, with or without glycerol and flavouring agents.
• ENDS solutions and emissions contain other chemicals, some of them considered to be toxicants.
• Adverse effects of ENDS
  • 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.
  • Also, nicotine may function as a “tumour promoter” and seems to be involved in the biology of malignant diseases.
  • A number of metals - including lead, chromium, and nickel, and chemicals like formaldehyde have been found in aerosols of some ENDS, with concentrations equal to or greater than traditional cigarettes, under normal experimental conditions of use.
  • As such, the evidence is sufficient to warn children and adolescents, pregnant women, and women of reproductive age against ENDS use and nicotine.

India – statute

• The Union Cabinet in September 2019 approved the Promulgation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Ordinance, 2019.
• The Ordinance prohibits/bans e-cigarettes including all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems [ENDS), Heat Not Burn Products, e-Hookah and the like devices.

Prelims Question

Q. With reference to Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It emits zero toxicants unlike conventional cigarettes
2. It has been banned by the Indian government
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question