New Delhi, Mothers Against Vaping has welcomed the European Commission's recognition of emerging nicotine devices as public health concerns, saying their rising use among youth is fuelling addiction rather than aiding smoking cessation.
The group, a united front of women advocating against the promotion of new-age nicotine devices to Indian youth, said these products are increasingly drawing in younger users, acting as a gateway to nicotine addiction rather than serving as effective smoking cessation tools.
They exposed adolescents to serious long-term health risks, including respiratory irritation, cardiovascular strain, and increased susceptibility to anxiety and mood disorders.
Dr Rajesh Gupta, director of the Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Interventional Pulmonology at Yashoda Medicity, Indirapuram, said the rising use of e-cigarettes and other new-age devices among young people is a serious concern.
He added that despite being marketed as safer alternatives, they often sustain nicotine dependence or even initiate it, highlighting the urgent need for stronger prevention and awareness efforts.
The group highlighted the European Commission's evaluation that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are sometimes marketed as effective for helping people to quit smoking, but their effectiveness in this regard is highly questionable.
They also referred to the World Health Organisation's position that e-cigarettes have not been proven effective for smoking cessation, and noted that a Eurobarometer survey 2023 found that a large majority of respondents do not think that e-cigarettes or HTPs can help smokers to quit traditional tobacco products.
The statement further said that in India, vested interests are attempting to promote novel nicotine products to cultivate a new generation of users through unauthorised online sales, smuggling, surrogate advertising and influencer-driven promotion on social media, despite an existing ban.
They called for stronger enforcement mechanisms and tighter surveillance of digital and retail ecosystems, urging decisive action to prevent the influx of illegal products posing a threat to India's youth.
