Recently Australia has passed the world-first bill that bans all vapes from general retail later this year.
What are the New-age gateway devices?
New Age gateway devices - These are devices that were introduced and marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking that would make it easier to quit tobacco.
Forms – Some of the tobacco product used to describe electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are
Vapes, vaporizers, vape pens, hookah pens, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or e-cigs), e-cigars, e-pipes, Heat-not-burn (HNB) devices & other heated tobacco products (HTPs) are
These are highly engineered drug delivery devices.
Following a puff, the aerosol is delivered to the user’s mouth and lungs and the rest is exhaled.
The e-liquid contains a range of ingredients such as propylene glycol, nicotine and flavourings.
What are the impacts of new-age gateway devices in children?
Affect development of children - These new-age gateway devices led to a surge in youth vaping, creating a new pandemic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023, e-cigarettes were most commonly used product among middle and high school students in United States.
Health Issues – Continued use of these devices, poses irreversible health risks like lung damage and the e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI).
Mental health issues – It leads to mental health challenges such as depressive symptoms, anxiety, perceived stress, and suicide-related behaviours among adolescents.
Social Issues - Those who vape are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness and social isolation when compared to their peers who abstain from these.
Addiction – E-cigarettes are highly addictive, particularly for individuals up to around the age of 25.
Benzoic acid in nicotine e-liquid produces protonated nicotine which enhances the addictive potential.
Cyclical effect – This is a developmental stage which makes them especially vulnerable to structural and chemical changes induced by nicotine addiction.
Once addiction takes root, it can increase the likelihood of developing other substance use disorders later in life.
E-Waste - There are no practical means to collect or recycle vapes.
Environmental Issues – volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, such as nickel, tin and lead have toxic effects on the environment – land, air, water.
Why children’s are highly susceptible to addiction?
The age group most at risk remains between 10 and 20 years old, a demographic that manufacturers allegedly exploit through appealing advertising and enticing vaping flavours.
Targeted advertisements – The colourful imagery created by these new-age gateway devices suggests that these products will bring happiness and elevate one’s social status.
It is marketed with addition of flavours such as strawberry, cotton candy, pop rocks, and lemonade.
Technology Addiction – Excessive technology usage is driving some children towards these addictive devices.
Peer influence – Friends’ positive attitudes towards vaping is the major introductory factor.
Children often prioritise peer preferences over their own, leading them to embrace it.
Lack of Awareness - Many children, teenagers, and even parents mistakenly believe that vaping only involves harmless water vapour and pleasant flavours.
How India regulates new-age smoking alternatives?
Indian had passed Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act in 2019.
Ban – It prohibits the production, trade, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes in India.
Punishments - Any person stores any stock of e-cigarettes, will be punishable with an imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both.
Any person who contravenes other restrictive provision will be punishable with imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of up to one lakh rupees, or both.
What lies ahead?
Comprehensively ban all the all forms of new age gateway devices such as Hookah, vapes.
Stop the promotion of ENDS as the alternatives to conventional tobacco products.
Create awareness among people about the negative impacts of all forms of new age gateway devices.
Strengthen the surveillance and enforcement capacity for effective enforcement of the ban.
