Daily Current Affairs : 22-July-2023

Electronic cigarettes, also known as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), have gained widespread popularity as an alternative to traditional tobacco products. These devices use batteries to vaporize a solution, which is then inhaled by the user. While proponents argue that they can help smokers quit traditional tobacco, experts in the area of tobacco control warn against the sale of electronic cigarettes on e-commerce sites, especially to children below the age of 18. This essay discusses the nature of electronic cigarettes, their impact on health, and the ethical dilemma surrounding their use and distribution.

Understanding Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that vaporize a solution to create an aerosol for inhalation. Unlike traditional tobacco products, they do not burn or use tobacco leaves. The main components of the solution include nicotine (when present), propylene glycol, glycerol, and flavoring agents. Despite the absence of tobacco, the presence of nicotine makes them addictive and potentially harmful.

Health Impacts of Electronic Cigarettes
  1. Adverse Effects during Pregnancy and Cardiovascular Health

Studies have raised concerns about the impact of electronic cigarettes on pregnancy. The presence of nicotine in these devices can lead to adverse outcomes during pregnancy and may also contribute to cardiovascular diseases in users.

  1. Potential Role as a Tumor Promoter

Research suggests that nicotine, a common component of electronic cigarettes, may act as a tumor promoter, potentially exacerbating the development and progression of cancerous cells in the body.

  1. Links to Neurodegeneration

Nicotine has been implicated in fundamental aspects of neurodegenerative diseases. The use of electronic cigarettes may pose risks to brain health and contribute to neurological disorders.

The Ethical Dilemma Surrounding Electronic Cigarettes
  1. Effectiveness in Smoking Cessation

One of the primary arguments for promoting electronic cigarettes was their potential effectiveness in helping people quit smoking traditional tobacco products. However, there is a lack of concrete large-scale studies to substantiate these claims. The lack of evidence raises concerns about the legitimacy of using electronic cigarettes as smoking cessation tools.

  1. Undermining Efforts to De-normalize Tobacco Use

Health activists opposing electronic cigarettes argue that their presence on the market undermines efforts to de-normalize tobacco use. These activists advocate for a complete abolition of tobacco consumption in all its forms to protect public health and reduce the number of new smokers, especially among young people.

The Importance of Regulating E-Commerce Sites

The sale of electronic cigarettes on e-commerce platforms poses significant challenges, particularly concerning youth access to these products. Some of the measures that can be taken to address this issue include:

  1. Age Verification: E-commerce sites must implement robust age verification mechanisms to ensure that electronic cigarettes are not sold to individuals below the age of 18.
  2. Strict Regulation: Governments should enforce strict regulations on the advertisement, sale, and distribution of electronic cigarettes to protect public health, especially among vulnerable populations like children and adolescents.
  3. Comprehensive Research: Governments and health organizations should invest in comprehensive research to evaluate the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes and their effectiveness in smoking cessation.

Important Points:

  • Electronic cigarettes, or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), are battery-operated devices that vaporize a solution for inhalation.
  • ENDS are commonly marketed as alternatives to traditional tobacco products.
  • The main components of the solution in ENDS include nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerol, and flavoring agents.
  • Health experts warn against the sale of electronic cigarettes on e-commerce sites, especially to children below 18 years of age.
  • Potential health impacts of electronic cigarettes include adverse effects during pregnancy, cardiovascular risks, and potential tumor promotion.
  • Nicotine, a common component in electronic cigarettes, is addictive and may contribute to neurodegeneration.
  • There is a lack of concrete large-scale studies to prove the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes in smoking cessation.
  • The ethical dilemma surrounding electronic cigarettes stems from conflicting claims about their role in helping people quit smoking and concerns about normalizing tobacco use.
  • Health activists argue that electronic cigarettes undermine efforts to de-normalize tobacco use and advocate for a complete abolition of tobacco consumption.
  • To address the issue of electronic cigarettes on e-commerce sites, age verification measures and strict regulations on advertisement and distribution are necessary.
  • Comprehensive research is needed to evaluate the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes and their impact on smoking cessation.
  • Governments and health organizations must work together to protect public health, especially among vulnerable populations like children and adolescents, regarding electronic cigarettes.
Why In News

Despite the grave concerns raised by experts in tobacco control, the unrestricted sale of electronic cigarettes on e-commerce platforms persists, jeopardizing the well-being of children under 18 who can easily access these harmful products. Urgent regulatory measures are needed to address this alarming issue and safeguard the health of our youth.

MCQs about Electronic Cigarettes on E-Commerce

  1. What are Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)?
    A. Traditional tobacco products
    B. Devices that burn tobacco leaves
    C. Battery-operated devices that vaporize a solution for inhalation
    D. Nicotine replacement therapies
    Correct Answer: C. Battery-operated devices that vaporize a solution for inhalation
    Explanation: ENDS, commonly known as electronic cigarettes, do not burn tobacco leaves but instead use batteries to heat a solution, which is then inhaled by the user.
  2. What is the main concern regarding the sale of electronic cigarettes on e-commerce sites?
    A. The high cost of electronic cigarettes
    B. Potential health risks associated with nicotine
    C. Availability to children below 18 years of age
    D. Lack of effectiveness in smoking cessation
    Correct Answer: C. Availability to children below 18 years of age
    Explanation: Health experts warn against the sale of electronic cigarettes on e-commerce sites, especially to children below 18, as it poses a threat to youth and public health.
  3. What is the potential health impact of electronic cigarettes?
    A. Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases
    B. Increased effectiveness in pregnancy
    C. Possibility of acting as a tumor promoter
    D. No known health risks
    Correct Answer: C. Possibility of acting as a tumor promoter
    Explanation: Research suggests that nicotine, a common component of electronic cigarettes, may act as a tumor promoter, potentially exacerbating the development and progression of cancerous cells in the body.
  4. What is the primary ethical dilemma surrounding electronic cigarettes?
    A. Their effectiveness in helping people quit smoking
    B. The potential link between nicotine and neurodegeneration
    C. The financial cost of electronic cigarettes
    D. The environmental impact of their disposal
    Correct Answer: A. Their effectiveness in helping people quit smoking
    Explanation: The ethical dilemma revolves around conflicting claims about the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes in aiding smoking cessation. While they were introduced as alternatives to help people quit smoking, there is a lack of concrete large-scale studies to prove their efficacy, raising concerns about their legitimacy as smoking cessation tools.

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