Medical experts, alongside Mothers Against Vaping, have sounded the alarm on the severe health risks posed by e-cigarettes, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), and Heat-Not-Burn (HNB) devices, particularly to teenagers, urging swift government action to curb their spread. The collective highlighted vaping’s role as a gateway to nicotine addiction, fueled by aggressive marketing targeting youth.

Health Impacts: Dr. K K Handa (Medanta Hospital) debunked the myth that vaping is safer than smoking, citing risks of lung damage, addiction, depression, anxiety, and device-related fires. A 2025 Johns Hopkins study linked e-cigarette use to COPD and hypertension. Dr. Harish Bhatia (MGS Hospital) emphasized direct lung harm, while Dr. Rajesh Gupta (Fortis Hospital) noted that chemicals like diacetyl and formaldehyde cause long-term lung and brain damage in teens, impairing attention and memory.

Youth Crisis: The World Health Organization warns of e-cigarettes’ accessibility, with 88 countries lacking age restrictions. In 2024, 1.63 million U.S. students vaped, 26.3% daily, driven by flavored products. Mothers Against Vaping stressed that Indian teens are increasingly targeted via social media, risking a “lost generation” to addiction.

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Proposed Solutions: Dr. Bhavna Barmi (Happiness Studio) advocated emotional literacy through journaling and parental workshops to address vaping as an emotional escape. She emphasized media literacy to counter glamorized online promotions and suggested replacing vaping with creative outlets. The group calls for bans on flavored vapes and stricter digital marketing regulations to protect public health.

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