Rezaur Rahman Rizvi
People always like change. Likes to get acquainted with new things. As a result, some good things as well as some bad things are included in this list of changes. E-cigarettes are such a new and interesting thing. But it has no benefit, more than 20 countries have already banned it for the sake of harm. However, the prevalence of e-cigarettes in our country has been increasing so much recently that it is being sold and displayed online on various e-commerce sites. As a result, the youth are attracted to the unscrupulous attraction of e-cigarettes and can easily buy and use e-cigarettes online. This is mainly due to the lack of specific laws.

An e-cigarette is a battery-powered device that looks a lot like a cigarette. Although it does not contain tobacco, it does contain enough nicotine. However, in the modern era, e-cigarettes include Vap mods, Jules, Vap pens. There is a misconception among many that these types of cigarettes do not contain as much nicotine as conventional ones.

Again, many people think that these battery-powered cigarettes play a role in reducing the addiction to cigarettes, but the reality is different. Studies have shown that the amount of nicotine in e-cigarettes is enough to cause addiction. And if someone starts smoking through e-cigarettes, then that person is more likely to become addicted to smoking in the future. In fact, electronic products like e-cigarettes help in absorbing nicotine. It helps to smoke liquid cartridges filled with nicotine, perfume and other ingredients with heat. Since these e-cigarettes contain liquids instead of tobacco, it is assumed that this type of cigarette does not produce any smoke. In fact, e-cigarettes are also encouraging people to smoke who may never have thought about smoking. One of the reasons for this is that in the case of ordinary or conventional cigarettes, although there are products of different companies, only cigarettes wrapped in copper can be seen. But as these cigarettes have different options in terms of size, smokers will also get some freedom in terms of flavor. And once you become proficient in these cigarettes, it is normal to want to use conventional cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are available in a variety of fruit flavors.

According to the researchers, the combination of sugar or sweeteners with nicotine strengthens the addiction to this type of cigarette. This is an addictive feature of this product. Just as the sudden rise in demand for e-cigarettes is due in large part to the fact that different flavors are associated with the addition of sweeteners to make more addictive products in the distant future. According to the Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC), 41 countries have banned the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes.

Studies have shown that young and adult smokers prefer flavored electronic cigarettes to nicotine-containing cigarettes. Smokers do not want to use e-cigarettes without flavor. And sadly, this flavor increases the amount of damage. Although flavored cigarettes were banned in the United States in 2009, e-cigarettes have not been affected, as the non-tobacco product does not fall into the category of cigarettes. Asked about this, Jul said the company is working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce cigarette addiction among young people. But the current situation says otherwise. Chemicals, oils, flavors and nicotine in e-cigarettes create aerosols when exposed to heat. The resulting fine particles are similar in size to tobacco particles, which can reach the lungs. Most of the chemicals in these cigarettes are toxic to the cells. However, it is difficult to understand how harmful its effects are. This is because the chemical composition and composition of each cigarette is different. Scented or flavored cigarettes may contain less nicotine than tobacco cigarettes used in smoking. But inhalation of chemicals used for these perfumes is harmful to health. In addition, if you use a faulty e-cigarette, it may explode and cause an accident.

The FDA has not yet recognized the use of e-cigarettes to reduce smoking. In addition, e-cigarettes help quit smoking in some cases, but in most cases it is just as harmful as regular cigarettes. It is not yet known which is more harmful or how safe it is to use e-cigarettes. So for now it is better to refrain from using e-cigarettes.

Recently, e-cigarettes are being sold in Bangladesh through various online e-commerce sites. Hundreds of different types of e-cigarettes are being sold and displayed online with discounts and cashback offers. In some cases, sales of e-cigarettes are also being increased by reducing delivery charges or making delivery free. People of any age can buy e-cigarettes online as there is no age limit. Users are being attracted with all the flashy ads and misinformation.

There is no specific law in Bangladesh to prevent the sale and display of e-cigarettes. Despite the threat to public health due to lack of law, e-cigarettes are being sold and displayed freely. In this case, the only law can prevent the sale and display of e-cigarettes in various ways, including online. Therefore, the government and all concerned are requested to enact strict laws to prevent the sale, marketing and display of e-cigarettes as soon as possible to save the present and future generations.

Rezaur Rahman Rizvi: Media Manager, Tobacco Control Project, Dhaka Ahsania Mission