MAV Seeks Wider Enforcement of India’s Ban on Vapes and E-Cigarettes

Mothers Against Vaping (MAV) has welcomed Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal’s intervention in Parliament over the growing accessibility of vaping products among children and adolescents, calling for stricter enforcement of India’s ban on e-cigarettes and action against networks supplying them to minors.

Maliwal recently raised concerns that school-going children are increasingly being exposed to vapes and e-cigarettes, which are often portrayed as “safe” or “cool”. She alleged that social media, influencers and illicit sellers are contributing to their growing accessibility among young users. Maliwal said the government’s ban on the sale of vapes was a commendable step but stressed that enforcement remained a challenge. She called for coordinated action involving schools, parents, police and local administrations to identify and dismantle networks supplying prohibited products to children.

Welcoming her intervention, MAV said parliamentary attention was important to strengthen public awareness and ensure that the issue of new-age nicotine products receives greater national focus. The organisation urged more MPs to support stronger measures, emphasising that child safety and public health should remain above political differences.

MAV called for comprehensive enforcement of the prohibition covering e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), vapes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), heat-not-burn devices and other novel nicotine formats. It also urged vigilance against foreign interests seeking to expand these products among India’s large youth population. The group further called for accountability from social media and e-commerce platforms involved in promoting, selling or distributing prohibited nicotine products.

Clinical psychologist Dr Bhavna Barmi said India’s young population represents a major social and economic asset and warned against allowing the next generation to become targets for the global addiction industry. She backed stronger enforcement against vapes and heat-not-burn devices and advocated restrictions on other novel nicotine products.

MAV said protecting children from nicotine addiction requires collective action by Parliament, governments, schools, families, law enforcement, healthcare professionals and society.