The Central Drug Regulator has directed all drug controllers in states and union territories to not allow the manufacture, sale, import and advertisement of ENDS, including e-cigarettes and flavoured hookah, in their jurisdictions.
12 states across the country have banned Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes following an advisory from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued in 2018.
ENDS
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, as the name suggests, are battery-operated, handheld devices that are alternatives to traditional smoking of cigarettes.
They provide nicotine via the respiratory route, without the associated ill-effects of tobacco.
E-cigarettes, e-hookahs, e-cigars, vaporizers etc are some of the ENDS, and they are emerging as popular alternatives to smoking cigarettes.