Health Experts emphasize WHO’s urgent call for South-East Asian countries to intensify efforts in controlling the use of New-Age Gateway Devices

New Delhi, February 28, 2024: Mothers Against Vaping, a united front of proactive and concerned mothers who are combatting the escalating vaping crisis among our youth, , emphasized the urgent need to take immediate action on the WHO’s (World Health Organisation) call on South East Asian countries to curb use of new-age gateway devices such as E-Cigarettes and vapes, particularly among the most impressionable minds- those of the children and youth. The WHO’s warning against the increasing rise of vaping in the region underscores and reemphasizes the required urgency to control the viral spread of E-Cigarettes and other new-age gateway products.

Mothers Against Vaping has reiterated that there is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy of E-Cigarettes in smoking cessation and in fact, these devices pose significant health risks to children and youth. In December 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized that E-Cigarettes have not demonstrated effectiveness in quitting tobacco use, with emerging evidence pointing to adverse population health effects associated with these new-age electronic devices.

Lung Foundation Australia further supports this stance, emphasizing the lack of strong evidence backing the use of nicotine E-Cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. Cognizant of the known risks and unknown health impact, Lung Foundation Australia does not endorse the use of E-Cigarettes for smoking cessation. This is all probability also holds true for other new-age gateway products as well.

On this issue, Dr. Rajesh Gupta – Additional Director, Pulmonology & Critical Care, Fortis Healthcare, Noida, said, “WHO is right in asserting that E-Cigarettes are not effective in smoking cessation. Scientifically, claiming that E-Cigarettes can eliminate nicotine addiction is not accurate, given that these devices contain nicotine. Furthermore, the use of E-Cigarettes poses a risk of delivering higher doses of nicotine and other harmful chemicals, potentially causing more harm to users. There is a genuine concern about the possibility of EVALI (E-Cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury) emerging in South-east Asia due to the use of these new-age devices. Hence there is an urgent need for effective measures to curb their usage, especially among the youth.”

According to WHO, the South-East Asia Region has a significant prevalence of smokeless tobacco users, accounting for a massive 77% of the global smokeless tobacco user population. Alarmingly, there are around 11 million adolescent users in the age group of 13-15 years, constituting nearly 30% of the global total. The region is witnessing a rising trend in the use of E-Cigarettes and other new-age gateway products, particularly among young people.

Dr. Bhavna Barmi, Clinical Psychologist, Founder, Happiness Studio said, “The surge in the use of E-Cigarettes among young people is not surprising, influenced by a various of factors including peer pressure and aggressive advertising by manufacturers. Beyond the evident physical harm caused by vaping or E-Cigarettes, there is a critical concern about the serious mental health impacts such as mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts and depressive symptoms.”

Mothers Against Vaping has drawn attention to a survey conducted by the American Heart Association, presented in February 2023. The findings of the survey revealed a concerning correlation between vaping nicotine and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component in marijuana and self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Dr. Varuna Pathak – Former Professor of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Gandhi Medical College said on the issue, “The long-term consequences of E-Cigarettes remain unknown, but studies have already demonstrated serious lung injuries and adverse health effects associated with their use. Without effective control measures, the widespread prevalence of these new-age devices, poses a genuine risk, potentially leaving our future generation with lasting health impairments. From causing chemical poisoning in users to jeopardizing maternal and foetal health, vaping presents a myriad of physical health risks.”

According to WHO, Thailand, which has been monitoring E-Cigarette and new-age gateway devices use, has observed a significant surge in their usage among school-aged children aged 13 to 15, escalating from 3.3% in 2015 to 17.6% in 2022. Presently, several countries in the South East Asian region, including India, DPR Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste, have taken decisive steps by imposing bans on E-Cigarettes.

India has been at the forefront of banning e-cigarettes and other similar new-age gateway devices. The PECA 2019 legislation has prohibited all aspects of electronic cigarette products including production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of E-Cigarettes, the law renders them illegal in the country. According to Mothers Against Vaping, India and other nations should prioritize demand reduction strategies. A comprehensive government policy is essential, including the implementation of strict laws and penalties for individuals involved in vaping and new-age gateway product abuse. By instilling a sense of fear among users and their parents or guardians, such implementation of the law will contribute to reduced usage and consequently minimize the supply of vapes, E-Cigarettes and other new-age gateway devices.

Corporate Comm India (CCI Newswire)