E-Cigarettes: The Hidden Trap Behind a Smokeless Fog

Authors: ASWATHY MADHU, Rohon Saha

DOI: 10.18231/j.ijfcm.11592.1759122384

Keywords: E-Cigarettes,ENDS (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems),Nicotine,Awareness campaigns,Popcorn lung,GYTS India 2019

Abstract: The promise of a smokeless future has lured millions into the deceptive embrace of e-cigarettes—especially the youth, who remain the prime targets of this silent epidemic. Marketed as a “safer alternative,” these sleek devices mask a toxic cocktail of carcinogens, heavy metals, and dangerously addictive nicotine. In India, despite the 2019 ban on e-cigarettes, their presence thrives in the shadows—online black markets, social media influencers, and cleverly disguised sales tactics ensure their continuous reach. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) India (2019) unveiled a troubling reality—2.8% of adolescents aged 13–15 had already ventured into the world of e-cigarettes, signaling a silent but growing epidemic. The reality is stark: India is at a crossroads. Without urgent digital surveillance, targeted youth awareness campaigns, and stronger regulatory enforcement, we risk losing a generation to nicotine dependence and severe health consequences. This is not just a policy failure; it is a public health emergency in disguise. The question remains: will we act in time, or let history repeat itself under a cloud of flavored vapor?