The Delhi High Court has been informed by the city government that it has initiated steps to ban the production, sale and supply of e-cigarettes and initiatives are being launched to create public awareness.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in its affidavit that only a certain kind of nicotine preparation is allowed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (DCA).
Electronic vapours, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), e-cigarettes and e-liquids do not fall in the categories of preparations that are allowed under the Act. “Therefore, the trade, commerce, production, supply and distribution of these substances would be prohibited under the DCA,” it said, adding that the preparation of e-cigarettes and e-liquids containing nicotine was contrary to the provisions of the DCA.
The DGHS, which comes under the Delhi government’s Health Department, put forward its stand in an affidavit filed before the High Court, which was hearing a plea seeking to regulate the sale and consumption of e-cigarettes. The court has listed the matter for hearing on August 21.
E-cigarettes are hand-held devices that help create the feeling of tobacco smoking.
Makers of the device say the e-liquid inside the device heats up when activated and creates an aerosolised vapour that provides a flavour similar to tobacco.
The DGHS said it has already initiated steps to ban the production, supply, advertisement, sale, distribution and use of electronic vapours, ENDS/e-cigarettes, e-liquids containing nicotine, etc., among all age groups and in all places.
Awareness campaigns
It said it was also “creating awareness among the public, including educational institutes and various stakeholders at every level, and is also planning mass media activities to communicate the adverse effects of these substances”.
