Latest news with #MothersAgainstVaping
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
On World No Tobacco Day experts flag concerns about illegal promotion of new-age gateway devices endangering adolescents and the youth
On the occasion of WHO (World Health Organisation) World No Tobacco Day 2025, experts at a seminar raised serious concerns about the illegal promotion of new-age gateway devices endangering the lives of adolescents and the youth across India. The event was organised in line with the theme of the Day - Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products, Mothers Against Vaping. The experts also reinforced their commitment to spreading awareness and take decisive action against the growing threat of vapes, e-cigarettes, and other HTPs (Heated Tobacco Products). In the event, Dr Avinash Sunthlia – Deputy Additional Director General (DADG), Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India said 'Why is the industry using new tactics to attract our youth? Because the industry needs new users to consume these new devices so that they can be turned into lifelong consumers. Hence, despite the ban on these products through the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, producers have found ways to circumvent the laws and promote e-cigarettes and vapes. They also market these devices as safer alternatives for smoking cessation, but it is about recruiting new users for a lifetime of dependence,' 'To spread awareness we have issued comprehensive guidelines for schools, initiated capacity-building programmes for teachers, and are working closely with influencers and digital creators to speak up about the dangers of vaping. We've also launched an online reporting platform that empowers everyday citizens to flag violations related to the sale or promotion of these banned devices so that prompt action can be taken. I'd like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Mothers Against Vaping for their unwavering commitment and advocacy on this critical issue', added Dr. Sunthlia. The seminar was organised at the Indian International Centre, New Delhi by Mothers Against Vaping, a united front of concerned mothers combating the escalating vaping crisis among our youth. In the event, various experts put the spotlight on the role of promotions in targeting a new generation of young users through new-age gateway devices even as Mothers Against Vaping released a report titled 'Unmasking the Appeal – How Vapes & E-Cigarettes Continue to be Promoted Unabated in India'. Jaspal Singh, Special Commissioner of Police for Protective Security, Delhi, in his keynote address, said, 'Vapes are more dangerous than cigarettes because through such devices, one can even consume hard drugs. Based on my experience, several users have confessed to using vaping equipment for hard drug intake. What makes the threat more dangerous is the way these products are promoted. Manufacturers and sellers use tactics like influencer marketing on social media to glamorise these devices and target young users while avoiding direct accountability and prosecution.' 'There has to be a proper coordination between customs authorities, police authorities, transporter associations and even courier agencies to stem the rising tide of e-cigarettes and vapes. Also important is public involvement, but for that to happen, citizens need to be aware that these devices are banned in India. Therefore, it is critical that the government launch strong awareness campaigns to inform people about the illegality and dangers of these devices", added Singh Padma Jaiswal - IAS, Secretary to the Government of the Union Territory of Puducherry, said, 'I would really like to acknowledge the great effort done by Mothers Against Vaping. I believe that such a kind of initiative and prioritisation has not been done by any civil society organisation earlier towards generating awareness of the issue.' 'The government has made the law banning vaping and e-cigarettes because it has seen from its own data that most of the users who are being affected by vaping are the adolescents who are in the schools and colleges. Being a mother myself, I am aware that vaping is rampant and the habit leaves a strong impact among the adolescents and the youth. They are attracted to these devices because they are promoted as a luxury, a style statement with the narrative that it is neither harmful nor punitive. Therefore, we need to raise the awareness that these electronic devices are banned in India,' Ms Jaiswal added. On the occasion, Mothers Against Vaping also released investigative report exposing the alleged covert strategies employed by global vaping and e-cigarette brands to infiltrate India's digital landscape, circumventing the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) of 2019. Despite the ban, these entities exploit media loopholes, leveraging digital platforms, influencer marketing, and surrogate advertising to glamorise their products . The comprehensive analysis reveals a disturbing trend: the deliberate targeting of Indian youth through social media channels. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are inundated with content portraying vaping as a trendy, harmless lifestyle choice. Influencers, often with substantial followings, are co-opted to promote these products, masking their dangers under the guise of modernity and sophistication. Influencers have emerged as stealth marketers—turning reels, reviews, and jokes into powerful tools of vape promotion. From casual endorsements masked as lifestyle content to creative smoke tricks that mimic skill, the influencer ecosystem plays a crucial role in making vaping look aspirational, trendy, and even humorous. Despite the ban, India's digital and informal markets continue to thrive in brazen defiance of the ban. Hence, the report provides for a number of recommendations as below: Immediate Actions To Stop Promotion of Vapes and E-Cigarettes Coordinate Enforcement Efforts: Establish robust coordination between cybercrime units, law enforcement agencies, and regulatory bodies to proactively monitor and identify violative digital content and actors. Initiate Legal Proceedings against Violators: Launch immediate legal action under relevant provisions of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 (PECA) and other applicable laws. Dismantle Digital Channels: Identify and issue directives for taking down social media pages, handles, and websites that promote vapes. Issue Platform Wide Directives: Direct social media companies, technology platforms and digital marketplaces, including domain service providers, to comply with Indian law by proactively detecting and preventing promotion of these banned products. Initiate action against Manufacturers and Sources: Pursue action against manufacturers, importers, and distributors who make these dangerous products available for sale. Recommendations from the report:
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Group of mothers urge govt to crack down on digital promotion of nicotine products
A group of mothers have appealed to the Central government to take decisive action against the digital promotion of tobacco products growing unchecked. While the current laws ban promotion of tobacco products in all forms, the manufacturers allegedly continue to actively promote them on digital media targeting children and youths, they said. The group -- Mothers Against Vaping -- have emphasised that despite the enactment of laws specifically banning new-age gateway devices such as vapes, e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products, they are being freely promoted and sold in the market. Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor The group has written to different ministries including Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Consumer Affairs, Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Information and Broadcasting to address the issue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10-Month-old is battling for his life and only you can save him! Give Hope India Donate Now Undo Considering the gravity of the concern, the Mothers Against Vaping has issued a set of appeals to the ministries, including taking down the illegal and misleading contents online, and acting against entities creating such content in violation of The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019 and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The group has also called on the government to take strict action against manufacturers and brands allegedly profiting from these products. It has also asked the government to direct digital platforms to remove content that promotes or glamorises vapes, e-cigarettes and other heated tobacco products. Mothers Against Vaping has further appealed for the establishment of an inter-ministerial task force comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, MeitY and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to monitor the digital promotion of these products. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 unequivocally bans the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes. Despite this law, the group said they have observed a disturbing trend of these products being glamorised and promoted to the youth through digital platforms. Similarly, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, specifically Section 5, prohibits both direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco products. Yet, prominent tobacco brands are being subtly promoted through memes, videos and other engaging content on social media platforms, effectively circumventing the law and targeting the impressionable minds of children, they said. Psychologist Dr Bhawna Barmi, who is also the founder of Happiness Studio and a member of Mothers Against Vaping, said that manufacturers of addictive products know well that children and youths, being addicted to digital devices, are most effectively targeted through online platforms. "By promoting sleek and appealing vape products across social media, they deliberately entice young minds to experiment with these harmful devices. At this vulnerable age, the youth are easily influenced by peer pressure and the desire to appear 'cool', often mimicking the behaviours they see in such digital promotions. Hence, to protect the health and future of our children, Mothers Against Vaping is urgently appealing to the honourable ministers to take decisive action so that such promotions are immediately removed and blocked on different social platforms," Barni said. Mothers Against Vaping firmly believes that tackling the unchecked digital promotion of banned tobacco and vaping products is critical to the success of India's broader tobacco control efforts, the group said in a statement. It stands ready to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to support the implementation of effective solutions to curb the promotion of these new-age gateway devices, it said. Author and education specialist Shruti Nagar Dave said, "The digital world has been a boon in many ways. For instance, online platforms such as YouTube help students to learn. Yet it is deeply concerning that these channels are being used to promote banned products like e-cigarettes and vapes." It would be highly impractical to ask the youth to shun online platforms since internet has become an integral part of life, Dave said. "Instead, we can make such spaces safer for our children. Digital platforms should also join this fight and take all steps to remove such content by co-operating with various stakeholders," she said. The Mothers Against Vaping has pointed out that the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, clearly mandate that intermediaries exercise due diligence and not host content that violates Indian laws. However, platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Telegram continue to host and disseminate content promoting banned products like e-cigarettes and vapes, the group said in its statement. Under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules, intermediaries are required to inform users not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any information that is obscene, invasive of another's privacy, or otherwise inconsistent with or contrary to the laws of India, it stated. This includes content that advertises tobacco products, which are strictly regulated under Indian law. By continuing to host such material, these platforms are violating the very rules they are supposed to uphold, the statement added. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Print
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Print
Group of mothers urge govt to crack down on digital promotion of nicotine products
The group — Mothers Against Vaping — have emphasised that despite the enactment of laws specifically banning new-age gateway devices such as vapes, e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products, they are being freely promoted and sold in the market. While the current laws ban promotion of tobacco products in all forms, the manufacturers allegedly continue to actively promote them on digital media targeting children and youths, they said. New Delhi, May 9 (PTI) A group of mothers have appealed to the Central government to take decisive action against the digital promotion of tobacco products growing unchecked. The group has written to different ministries including Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Consumer Affairs, Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Information and Broadcasting to address the issue. Considering the gravity of the concern, the Mothers Against Vaping has issued a set of appeals to the ministries, including taking down the illegal and misleading contents online, and acting against entities creating such content in violation of The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019 and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The group has also called on the government to take strict action against manufacturers and brands allegedly profiting from these products. It has also asked the government to direct digital platforms to remove content that promotes or glamorises vapes, e-cigarettes and other heated tobacco products. Mothers Against Vaping has further appealed for the establishment of an inter-ministerial task force comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, MeitY and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to monitor the digital promotion of these products. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 unequivocally bans the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes. Despite this law, the group said they have observed a disturbing trend of these products being glamorised and promoted to the youth through digital platforms. Similarly, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, specifically Section 5, prohibits both direct and indirect advertisements of tobacco products. Yet, prominent tobacco brands are being subtly promoted through memes, videos and other engaging content on social media platforms, effectively circumventing the law and targeting the impressionable minds of children, they said. Psychologist Dr Bhawna Barmi, who is also the founder of Happiness Studio and a member of Mothers Against Vaping, said that manufacturers of addictive products know well that children and youths, being addicted to digital devices, are most effectively targeted through online platforms. 'By promoting sleek and appealing vape products across social media, they deliberately entice young minds to experiment with these harmful devices. At this vulnerable age, the youth are easily influenced by peer pressure and the desire to appear 'cool', often mimicking the behaviours they see in such digital promotions. Hence, to protect the health and future of our children, Mothers Against Vaping is urgently appealing to the honourable ministers to take decisive action so that such promotions are immediately removed and blocked on different social platforms,' Barni said. Mothers Against Vaping firmly believes that tackling the unchecked digital promotion of banned tobacco and vaping products is critical to the success of India's broader tobacco control efforts, the group said in a statement. It stands ready to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to support the implementation of effective solutions to curb the promotion of these new-age gateway devices, it said. Author and education specialist Shruti Nagar Dave said, 'The digital world has been a boon in many ways. For instance, online platforms such as YouTube help students to learn. Yet it is deeply concerning that these channels are being used to promote banned products like e-cigarettes and vapes.' It would be highly impractical to ask the youth to shun online platforms since internet has become an integral part of life, Dave said. 'Instead, we can make such spaces safer for our children. Digital platforms should also join this fight and take all steps to remove such content by co-operating with various stakeholders,' she said. The Mothers Against Vaping has pointed out that the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, clearly mandate that intermediaries exercise due diligence and not host content that violates Indian laws. However, platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Telegram continue to host and disseminate content promoting banned products like e-cigarettes and vapes, the group said in its statement. Under Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules, intermediaries are required to inform users not to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any information that is obscene, invasive of another's privacy, or otherwise inconsistent with or contrary to the laws of India, it stated. This includes content that advertises tobacco products, which are strictly regulated under Indian law. By continuing to host such material, these platforms are violating the very rules they are supposed to uphold, the statement added. PTI PLB RUK RUK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Mothers Against Vaping urges Centre to take action against digital promotion of tobacco products
In the run-up to Mother's Day, Mothers Against Vaping – an organisation comprising mothers combating the vaping crisis among the youth – has appealed to the Centre to take decisive action against digital promotion of tobacco products. In a statement issued on Friday, Mothers Against Vaping has emphasised that despite the enactment of laws specifically banning new age gateway products like vapes, e-cigarettes, and heat-not-burn products, they are being freely promoted and sold in the market. The group has appealed and written to the different ministries of the Centre – Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Consumer Affairs, Electronics and Information Technology, and Information and Broadcasting – to address this issue in a coordinated manner. Dr Bhawna Barmi, psychologist and member of Mothers Against Vaping, said the manufacturers of addictive products know very well that children and youth, being digital natives, are most effectively targeted through online platforms. 'By promoting sleek and appealing vape products across social media, they deliberately entice young minds to experiment with these harmful devices. At this vulnerable age, children and the youth are easily influenced by peer pressure and the desire to appear 'cool', often mimicking the behaviours they see in such digital promotions. Hence, to protect the health and future of our children, Mothers Against Vaping is urgently appealing to the honourable ministers to take decisive action so that such promotions are immediately removed and blocked on different social platforms,' Dr Barmi said. Conversation on menopause Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd is gearing up to celebrate Mother's Day with a twist. Namita Thapar, Whole-time Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd, in a statement, said that the period between perimenopause and menopause marks a significant and challenging time for women – physically, emotionally, and mentally. 'The awareness initiative serves as a reminder that while our mothers may be silently enduring hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and more, the world around them remains largely unaware – or embarrassed to discuss it,' she said. A campaign video on social media features young adults with buckets of ice. Each of them takes a deep breath and dumps the ice water over their head – laughing, gasping, reacting with playful shock. As reactions unfold, a message appears on the screen. The text reads, 'The Ice Bucket Challenge may have ended…. but the heat didn't stop for our moms.'
