Note4students

Mains Paper 2: Governance | Issues relating to development & management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Electronic nicotine delivery systems, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Food Safety and Standards Act, Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS)

Mains level: Efforts to limit usage of tobacco

Legal provisions sought to impose a ban on electronic cigarettes

1. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sought the opinion of the state’s law and judiciary department on what legal provisions it can invoke to impose a ban on electronic cigarettes
2. The move comes after the regulatory body found it can neither term vaping devices as a ‘drug’ nor as a ‘food through which it can enforce such a ban

About E-cigarettes

1. E-cigarettes, also called electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), were invented in 2003
2. The hand-held device uses liquid nicotine or non-nicotine solution to inhale and give similar effects of smoking

No law to control usage

1. In 2016, the Maharashtra FDA had sought the opinion of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) regarding e-cigarettes
2. DCGI had decided that e-cigarettes would not be controlled under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
3. DCGI does not consider liquid nicotine a new drug
4. FDA then internally asked its food department to consider vaping devices as a food product to attract ban under the Food Safety and Standards Act
5. The smoke inhaled cannot be considered a food product, just like cigarettes

Rising risk of usage by youngsters

1. The latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) found that although e-cigarettes consumption was much lower, it was becoming increasingly popular amongst youngsters
2. Studies have suggested that liquid nicotine may be toxic and e-cigarettes can become a gateway towards smoking for youngsters