Anti-vape law goes up in smoke
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Nearly 70% users of this prohibited, but easily available, casually used, nicotine delivery device fall within the age bracket of 18-30 years. A spot-check by TOI in T Nagar, Nungambakkam, Alwarpet, and Mannadi revealed several shops selling vape pens and e-liquid refills. A salesman at a perfume shop in Ranganathan Street, T Nagar, initially denied that he sold vapes, but later admitted to having limited stock in three flavours: raspberry fusion, mango fusion, and guava-mint, imported from Malaysia and China. "We only accept cash," the shopkeeper said. Prices vary depending on puff count. Pens offering 25,000 puffs are sold at 2,700, while premium variants are priced upwards of 7,000. Online platforms, however, list the same products for as low as 1,500 and sell without age verification. Many buyers use WhatsApp groups or Instagram pages to make purchases. So, what was the draw of vaping? "I first tried it in college as my friends used it," said S Adithya, 22, a collegegoer. "Although I had quit, I tend to vape when meeting up with my friends, or you feel left out," he added. Trisha Bhowmick, another college student, turned to vaping to deal with anxiety. While the sale and consumption of traditional cigarettes, a cheaper alternative, remain legal, young users gravitate toward illegal vapes owing to perceived 'harmlessness' (fruity flavours, no lingering odour). That is a misconception, as Dr Krishna, an oncologist, explained, "Unlike therapeutic aerosols of a nebuliser, a vape delivers harmful chemicals to the lungs. Aerosols include nicotine and other toxic substances that can cause heart disease, lung problems, and even cancer." Enforcement is also a challenge. Last year, Chennai police arrested just 16 people for possession of the banned tobacco products, including vapes. In areas such as Tambaram and Avadi, there have been no recorded seizures, raising concerns over the ignorance around vape usage. Ashra Garg, inspector- general (north), said, "We rely on local sources and conduct raids when we get reliable inputs. Vapes can be easily hidden, which makes enforcement harder. We are committed to cracking down on suppliers and users alike." Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 (PECA), manufacturing, importing, selling, storing, or advertising e-cigarettes is banned. Police officers at the sub-inspector level and above can search, seize, and arrest the offenders without a warrant. First time offenders face up to one year in jail or a fine of `1 lakh, while repeat offenders can be jailed for three years. However, the law does not differentiate between personal use and commercial distribution. A casual user with one vape pen could receive the same punishment as a person smuggling or peddling thousands. Activists opine that officials must work with e-tailer platforms to curb illegal online sales, while educational institutions must adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards tobacco use.
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