As a mother and medical professional, I have long been concerned about the unseen risks that can quietly infiltrate our homes and impact our children. Currently, a significant threat arises from novel nicotine products, including vapes, heat-not-burn devices, nicotine pouches, gums, and tablets.
My concern is grounded in four main reasons. First, the health hazards associated with these products are well-documented. Vape aerosols are not innocuous water vapor; they may contain nicotine, ultrafine particles, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead. Toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein can also be present. Certain flavoring agents, such as diacetyl, have been linked to serious lung injuries—colloquially termed “popcorn lung.” The vaping-related lung injury outbreak known as EVALI in the US highlighted the acute public health crises these products can incite.
Second, these products serve as gateways to more harmful substances. They often begin with seemingly benign flavors—such as strawberry, bubblegum, mango, mint, chocolate, candy, and fruit blends. Young people may not recognize these as tobacco products; instead, they view them as lifestyle choices. This trend often leads them to nicotine-based e-cigarettes and eventually to more dangerous variants. Thailand’s recent ban on “zombie cigarettes”—vapes mixed with etomidate, an anesthetic that can induce extreme drowsiness and pose life-threatening risks—demonstrates the potential for rapid misuse of vaping technology.
Third, there is an overarching strategy that seeks to reverse years of tobacco education. Vaping is often framed as a “harm reduction” measure, especially for young smokers, implying that it is safer than traditional tobacco. However, evidence indicates that refined products do not necessarily guarantee safety. Just as refined sugars and processed oils can drive higher consumption and create long-term health issues, refined nicotine products may also spread addiction more swiftly and extensively.
Lastly, there is a lack of comprehensive scientific understanding. Vaping is increasingly normalized, yet the scientific community is still working to understand its long-term effects. Traditional tobacco products have been studied for over a century, yielding substantial evidence of their harms, while vaping has only been around for approximately two decades, leaving us with insufficient data about potential long-term damage.
This uncertainty should raise alarms. Additionally, celebrities and influencers often glamorize vaping, especially among youths. It is crucial to implement strong actions against both direct and indirect promotions of banned nicotine products.
India’s decision to ban vapes reflects a commendable step. The subsequent measure should involve preventing the introduction of similar nicotine innovations, like nicotine pouches, from reaching young audiences under the misleading notion of “harm reduction.”
(The author is Professor and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Ram Krishna Medical College, Bhopal, and a member of Mothers Against Vaping, a collective focused on opposing new-age tobacco products. The views expressed are personal.)
Published on May 18, 2026
