The voluntary association of Trade Representatives of ENDS in India (TRENDS) on Tuesday submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary, Delhi Government with copies to Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister, Satyendra Kumar Jain echoing the observations of the Court regarding the sale and distribution of E-Cigarettes in Delhi.
In the representation made to the Chief Minister, TRENDS pointed out that it concurs with the concerns of the High Court of Delhi, which asked the Delhi Government to urgently examine the issue of regulating the sale and consumption of E-Cigarettes in the state.
The representatives also pointed out that “It is unfortunate that India still doesn’t have any policy framework for this critical product that provides a harm reduction option to smokers. Many states have rushed into issuing blanket ban in the sale and trade of e-cigarettes without giving any thought to the fact that they are removing the choice of the consumer of moving to a less harmful method of nicotine consumption”.
Praveen Rikhy, Convener of TRENDS said, “Delhi Government can take the lead in showing the way how a conducive policy framework can help the Government meet its smoking reduction targets and at the same time take care to protect the vulnerable sections of the society”.
