KATHMANDU, May 7: The government has started the process of banning electronic cigarettes (vapes). The National Health Education, Information and Communication Center (NHEICC) under the Department of Health Services has reached out to various ministries seeking their cooperation in enforcing the ban.

Keshav Raj Pandit, the director of NHEICC, has called upon the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, the Department of Customs, and the Department of Commerce, Supplies, and Consumer Protection to collaborate in implementing provisions that prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes.

Citing Subsection 4 of Section 28 of the Tobacco Products Control Regulation 2071 BS, Pandit said that no individual or entity shall be permitted to produce, import, sell, distribute, consume in public places and public transport, or promote and advertise electronic cigarettes through media channels.

Dr Bhakta Bahadur KC, the senior health education administrator at NHEICC, stated that with the enforcement of the directives from the Ministry of Finance and Communications, electronic cigarettes will be banned in Nepal. Addressing concerns about individuals using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, he stressed that they pose health risks similar to conventional cigarettes and can serve as a gateway to tobacco consumption.

"Using electronic cigarettes can lead to nicotine addiction, mimicking smoking habits," he stated. "Therefore, electronic cigarettes serve as a gateway to tobacco use." Vaping not only affects the cardiovascular and neurological health of individuals but also leads to oral health issues. Additionally, it poses risks to those in proximity to the user.

Electronic cigarettes are available in various flavors in Nepal. Data from the Department of Customs reveals that Nepal imported 3,223,687 electronic cigarette devices in the last fiscal year, with the majority originating from China (3,175,815), followed by the United States (265,640), and the United Arab Emirates (12,967). Imports also come from India, the UK, and other countries.

According to Dr KC, the senior health education administrator, the annual trade volume of electrical appliances in Nepal is estimated to be around Rs 32 billion. He mentioned that imports have increased by 200 times in Nepal over the past five years. The cost of a vape ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 13,000.

 
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