Despite ban, sale of e-cigarettes gains market via e-commerce sites

Vaping is an act of inhaling and exhaling the water vapor produced by e-cigarettes and has become quite popular among youngsters these days. Though e-cigarettes are widely considered comparatively less harmful than traditional cigarettes, they are also injurious to health and can cause damage the gums and lead to heart diseases, bronchiolitis obliterans and pneumonia.

The Health and Family Welfare Department passed an order banning the manufacture, sale (including online sale), distribution, display, marketing, advertisement, use, import and possession of e-cigarettes in September. However, many online sites including the well-known websites continue to sell e-cigarettes without any regulation.

While few websites ask for age and verify before allowing the product availability for ones above 18 years of age, many other websites do not have any kind of verification policy. The e-cigarettes lighters are also available on almost all the e-commerce websites. The e-cigarettes are available within a range of Rs 1,000 – Rs 5,000 on these sites. However, service executives say that the prices of e-liquid and e-cigarettes have increased since the ban was imposed in around 12 States across the country.

When contacted, senior officials of the Health Department said that the absence of a line of action against those who do not comply with the order has led to the continued sale of e-cigarettes and the department shall work on a frame of action for those not abiding by the order.