CONCEPT – E-CIGARETTES

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 CONCEPT – E-CIGARETTES

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• What exactly is an E-Cigarette : E-cigarettes are the most common form of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). These are basically devices that do not burn or use tobacco leaves. Instead, they vaporise a solution using a battery. This vapour is then inhaled by the user.

1. "The main constituents of the solution, in addition to nicotine when nicotine is present, are propylene glycol, with or without glycerol and flavouring agents," the World Health Organisation says, adding that these solutions and emissions also contain some solutions that are considered to be "toxicants".
2. In terms of shape and size, most e-cigarettes resemble ordinary cigarettes, cigars and smoking pipes, but of late brands have started experimenting with newer designs that may resemble whistles, pens etc.

• How does an E-Cigarette work : The effectiveness of e-cigarettes depends on a range of factors such as the battery's strength, the nature of unit circuit, solutions used and the user's behaviour, among others.

1. Since e-cigarettes work on vapours, their effectiveness is directly dependent on the product's ability to heat the solution to a state where it transforms into vapour. As a result, the battery's voltage and circuit strength are crucial components. Stronger the voltage and circuit, faster will the solution heat up and vaporise, and more effective will be the product.
2. "Battery voltage and unit circuitry differences can result in considerable variability in the products' ability to heat the solution to an aerosol and, consequently, may affect delivery of nicotine and other constituents, and may contribute to the formation of toxicants in the emissions," WHO says in a 2014 report on e-cigarettes.

• Any Health Risks : Yes, there are.

1. Once nicotine is used in the solution of an e-cigarette, the difference between it and a conventional cigarette blurs. In terms of health risks, the power of an e-cigarette to deliver nicotine determines how dangerous its use can be. If the nicotine delivery is quick and powerful, the e-cigarette would be no different from a conventional cigarette.
2. The nicotine delivery capacity varies from one brand to another. This capacity is also dependent on the strength of the solution used and the puffing behaviour of a user.
3. When it comes to their addictive power, the use of nicotine solutions (a highly addictive substance) in e-cigarettes it underlines the fact that they can be equally addictive as conventional cigarettes, if not more.
4. WHO says, "It can have adverse effects during pregnancy and may contribute to cardiovascular disease.“
5. "Although nicotine itself is not a carcinogen, it may function as a tumour promoter. Nicotine seems involved in fundamental aspects of the biology of malignant diseases, as well as of neurodegeneration.“

• The Market :The popularity of e-cigarettes can be understood from the fact that way back in 2013 the estimated value of their global market was nearly $3 billion.
• Some reports suggest that in 2014, there were at least 466 brands producing e-cigarettes. Estimates by Euromonitor International, a market research organisation, project that by 2030, the global e-cigarette market would rise by 17 times.
• Fines under the new law : Once the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Ordinance, 2019 comes into effect, these provisions will become applicable:

1. Any production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale (including online sale), distribution or advertisement (including online advertisement) of e-cigarettes shall become a cognisable offence in India.
2. This will be punishable with an imprisonment of up to one year or fine up to Rs 1 lakh or both for the first offence.
3. In case someone is caught flouting the law again, the punishment would be imprisonment of up to three years and fine up to Rs 5 lakh.
4. Under the new rule, those found storing e-cigarettes will be punished with an imprisonment up to 6 months or fine up to Rs 50,000 or both.

• Besides this, those who have existing stocks of e-cigarettes will have to declare and deposit them with the nearest police station on their own before the ordinance comes into effect

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