ICMR recommends ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

Apex research body - Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended a complete ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes, saying their use can initiate nicotine addiction among non-smokers. ENDS are devices that heat a solution to create an aerosol, which also frequently contains flavours, usually dissolved into propylene glycol and glycerin.

In a white paper released today, the World No Tobacco Day, the ICMR said e-cigarettes adversely affects the cardiovascular system, impairs respiratory immune cell function and airways in a way similar to cigarette smoking and is responsible



for severe respiratory disease. It also poses risk to foetal, infant and child brain development, the white paper claimed.

In August last year, the Union Health Ministry issued an advisory to all states and UTs to stop manufacture, sale and import of ENDS. The advisory was subsequently challenged in Delhi High Court which ruled it to be non-binding on states and government bodies.

However, some states including Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Mizoram have already banned use and sale of e-cigarettes, Vape and E-Hookah.