PANJIM: Anti-tobacco watchdog NGO, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) in its letter to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has requested for ban on e-cigarettes in the State.
NOTE president and renowned oncologist Dr Shekhar Salkar in a letter to Chief Minister has requested to ban e-cigarettes in the State and protect the children from its harmful effect.
Salkar has lauded Government of India for taking tough stand against the newer nicotine delivery devices. “Nicotine is highly toxic chemical and potentially carcinogenic,” he said.
“In fact, it will not be an exaggeration if it is considered as a poison. Therefore, any nicotine product should be taken under strict medical supervision for controlling withdrawal symptoms during cessation therapy,” he added.
Salkar had written similar letter, a year back, to then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Salkar has pointed out that steadfast in its commitment to protect the health of children and youth, 12 states in India-Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, UP, Jammu & Kashmir, HP, TN, Puducherry, Jharkhand and Mizoram have banned the use and sale of e-cigarettes, Vape and e-Hookah due to its health harms using the Union Health Ministry advisory (MoHFW). MoHFE on August 28, 2018 had issued an advisory to all States/UT`s, to ensure that Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), e-cigarettes, Heat-Not-Burn devices, Vape, e-Sheesha, e-Nicotine flavoured hookah, and the like devices that enable nicotine delivery are not sold (including online sale), manufactured, distributed, traded, imported and advertised in their jurisdictions.
