Understanding E-cigarette Use in India: Challenges, Health Implications, and Regulatory Responses

EDITORIALwhose brains are still maturing. 13This may increase the likelihood of experimenting with other substances and illicit drugs.Additionally, e-cigarette use has been associated with various respiratory issues such as coughing, wheezing, and asthma, as well as cardiovascular effects like tachycardia, hypertension, and potential atherosclerosis. 14Moreover, inflammation and damage to blood vessels have been reported among e-cigarette users. 8rowing evidence links e-cigarette use to anxiety and depression due to nicotine's impact on brain neurotransmitters. 13,14Vaping as a coping mechanism may worsen mental health issues. 11Dual-use, combining e-cigarettes with traditional cigarettes, presents unique health risks.While nicotine from e-cigarettes may theoretically reduce cigarette intake, studies suggest that dual users may increase exposure to toxicants and nicotine. 9Experimental studies indicate potential pulmonary function effects from e-cigarette use, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.Also, the unintended consequences, including accidental ingestion by children and vaping-related injuries, further underscore the need for stringent regulations. health effects o f e-cIgarette use I n adolescentsWhile e-cigarettes are often perceived as safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes, they still carry notable health risks.Nicotine, a common component in e-cigarettes, is highly addictive and can foster psychological dependence, especially in adolescents 1,