Kerala to ban electronic cigarettes

The government of Kerala, India, has decided to ban electronic cigarettes in view of studies claiming that their use can cause a number of health problems, including cancer and heart ailments, according to an Indian Express story.

The State Health Minister K K Shylaja on Thursday directed the additional chief secretary (health) to issue an order banning the production, sale and advertisement of these devices.

An official press note alluded to media reports that the electronic cigarette market was flourishing in Kerala and targeting young people, including children.

In addition, the state drugs enforcement authorities had found that these devices were widely used for smoking ganja, hashish and other narcotic substance.

The note apparently said that it had been found also that the use of electronic cigarettes among children ‘would result in [the] indiscriminate use of original [traditional tobacco] cigarettes and other substances in the long run’.

A series of studies conducted in the US and Japan had proved that the usage of electronic cigarettes would cause cancer and heart ailments.

These devices are said to be being marketed in Kerala through unauthorised courier services and online sites.