Vapeboss – Recently, a research report on e-cigarettes was published by Simone Pettigrew et al. from the George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. The authors studied factors contributing to the vulnerability of young people to e-cigarettes in four countries (Australia, China, India, and the United Kingdom).

These factors included demographic characteristics, e-cigarette and tobacco use, exposure to e-cigarette advertising, and the number of friends and family members who vape. Those who had never used e-cigarettes were also assessed for vulnerability (curiosity about e-cigarettes, intention to use them in the next 12 months, and likelihood of using them if offered by a friend). The findings of this research were published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

A recent survey conducted in six Indian states: Assam, Goa, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, as well as in the city of Delhi, found that products can still be easily ordered online and delivered within a few days. And of course, given that the products are unregulated, many vape platforms and websites sell products without restrictions and age verification.

The survey revealed that most people believe in the use of safer alternatives, with approximately 86% of respondents saying that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are better alternatives to cigarettes. A total of 87% believe that the products should be available to adult smokers.

In September 2019, the Indian Government issued measures prohibiting the production and sale of electronic cigarettes, which also included all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) such as vapes. However, given that this is not the reality, most former smokers who switched to vaping are now forced back to smoking, even being compelled to purchase products illegally.

A survey conducted by five organizations, namely the Voluntary Health Association of India, VOICE, Nadda India, National Law School University India, Bangalore, and Karnataka NO for Tobacco, found that most of the sellers and distributors surveyed were not even aware that vaping products had been banned. As a result, many sellers and distributors openly sell them. This fact is not particularly surprising, given the issues of literacy and the lack of regulatory structure in India.

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