On Tuesday, the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), a Kerala-based independent public policy organization, urged the Union government to provide an alternative for cigarette smokers to switch to some less harmful products. The organization asked the government to take a "multi-dimensional and scientifically evidence-backed stance" in adopting harm reduction alternatives to tobacco.

CPPR noted that while being a harmful product in its own right, e-cigarettes can be recognized as a viable alternative to conventional cigarettes. They added that e-cigarettes deliver the addictive component, that is, nicotine, without the harmful elements of tobacco smoke.

Dr. Dhanuraj, Chairman of CPPR, stated that the regulations of e-cigarettes can be framed in a manner that balances the potential use of e-cigarettes as new technology to reduce the use of or as an alternative that reduces risk and harm from combustible tobacco products. He explained that on the pretext of a tobacco "epidemic", the government of India has imposed a blanket ban on the production, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes as per the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage, and Advertisement) Act, 2019.

He further added that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had recommended the prohibition of e-cigarettes in India for reasons like increased use by youth, harmful health effects, and the potential to convert users to smoking. 

(Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/provide-smokers-option-to-switch-to-less-harmful-products-says-cppr/article65970269.ece )