Government to keep an eye on use of E Cigarette from homes to school

Ranchi: After a nationwide ban was imposed on e-cigarette the health and the police department in Jharkhand will together to prevent its use as a detailed instructions in this regard has been issued to all the states by the Union Health ministry.

Health Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni who participated in this video conferencing suggested to put a ban on online selling of the e-cigarette as the product was directly reaching to the people and there was no check point between the people and the product, therefore, stopping at delivery point will be effective over which the Union Health Ministry assured to look at the system to put a ban on online delivery. E-cigarette has been banned in the country from September 18.

The Union Health Ministry has directed to accord special focus on schools and colleges and keep an eye on them. It also suggested that in the process the teachers should also be made a part of it and special eye should be kept on those students who are studying in classes 10th to 12th. It has been also directed to keep an eye and conduct checks at betel shops.

Mr Kulkarni said that to create awareness regarding the ban on e-cigarette the department will be creating awareness through various mediums. He said that efforts will be made that the ban comes into effect from homes first and even the parents will be told how to keep an eye on their children and prevent them from using an e-cigarette.

He said that during a random checking in a school in Delhi the e-cigarette was found among 150 children which is a matter of grave concern. He said that these cigarettes are being made in the shapes of pen and pencil so that it is not suspicious therefore forces will be on school and colleges and homes.

He said that the police department will also be taking effective steps to prevent the use of e-cigarette. DG headquarters PRK Naidu said that soon he will hold a video conferencing with the SPs of the districts and through them all the police stations would also be given instructions to keep a check on the storage, sell and use of e-cigarettes in their areas. 

After the use of e cigarette increased in America by 77 percent the matter became a global concern and according to an estimate many big cities of India are also falling in its trap and the product is slowly expanding to the medium and small cities.

Since the cigarette is completely different than the traditional cigarette and is also smell less, therefore, it was drawing huge attraction among the youth and such children who secretly consume the product.