Shalini Yadav, a prominent social worker and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Uttar Pradesh has voiced serious concerns about the growing prevalence of e-cigarettes, vapes, and heat-not-burn (HNB) products among Indian youth. She called for urgent measures to counter these new-age nicotine devices, which she described as a dangerous gateway to addiction.
Highlighting the efforts of Mothers Against Vaping, a collective of mothers committed to protecting children from nicotine-based devices, Yadav commended their advocacy. “New-age addiction devices like electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn products look cool and attractive but are luring our children into a faster and more dangerous addiction to nicotine. Though these products are banned in India, foreign companies continue to push them into the country, creating a new generation of nicotine users vulnerable to more dangerous drugs,” she stated.
Shalini Yadav, who transitioned from the Samajwadi Party to the BJP in 2023, warned of the long-term societal impact of unchecked vaping trends. “This is a conspiracy that we cannot ignore. Immediate and decisive action has to be taken, or else this danger will not only destroy the future of our children but also of the country. I congratulate Mothers Against Vaping for their relentless fight to safeguard our children, and we must all support them in this endeavour,” she added.
Other influential figures, including Shehzad Poonawala, BJP National Spokesperson, have also emphasised the need for stricter enforcement of India’s vaping ban. Additionally, a diverse group of achievers, including Dr Deepa Malik (Padma Shri awardee), actor-filmmaker Nandita Das, football legend Baichung Bhutia, athlete Dutee Chand, and actors Neha Dhupia and Kushboo Sundar, have lent their voices to Mothers Against Vaping’s campaign.
The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, implemented in 2019, bans the production, import, sale, and advertisement of e-cigarettes in India. Despite the legislation, vaping devices continue to infiltrate the market through illegal means. The Union Health Ministry reported 350 vape-related violations since 2022, underscoring the need for stringent enforcement.
In May 2023, the government issued public notices emphasising the strict implementation of the ban to curb the growing menace. Yadav’s call to action adds momentum to ongoing efforts to protect India’s youth from the harmful effects of vaping and e-cigarettes.
