What are e-cigarettes and why are they dangerous? Debate is sparked by a TMC MP's alleged use in the Lok Sabha

One unexpected moment stole the show on Thursday during the Parliament's Winter Session amid intense debates. Despite e-cigarettes being prohibited in India, a BJP MP accused a Trinamool Congress MP of using them in the Lok Sabha. He brought up the matter in the House and asked the Speaker to acknowledge the alleged infraction. This article examines e-cigarettes, their dangers, and what happens in India if someone is caught using one.

What exactly are e-cigarettes?

Vapes, or e-cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid into a vapor that users can inhale. Nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals are usually present in the liquid. Initially, they were marketed as a "safer" option to traditional cigarettes. However, experts from all over the world have repeatedly cautioned that they are far from innocuous.

In 2019, the government outlawed the production, distribution, import, and sale of e-cigarettes due to growing worries that they were endangering youth and encouraging addiction.

To what extent are e-cigarettes harmful?

Even though e-cigarettes don't burn tobacco, there are still significant risks associated with using them. The majority of vaping liquids contain nicotine, which is extremely addictive and has an impact on young adults' and teens' brain development. Additionally, the vapor contains chemicals that could irritate the lungs, cause breathing difficulties, and potentially lead to long-term respiratory issues.

Vaping may increase the risk of heart disease, damage blood vessels, and harm the lungs, according to several studies. Rare reports of severe lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use have also been made abroad. Health organizations in India and around the world concur that vaping carries some risks.

What happens if someone is caught using an e-cigarette in India?

Being found in possession of an e-cigarette could have legal repercussions because e-cigarettes are prohibited in India. Anyone found in possession of an e-cigarette device or refill may be subject to fines under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act. If they are discovered to be selling, distributing, or storing them, they may also be subject to more severe punishments, including jail time.